FIANNA FÁIL believes it can target two seats in Galway West in the upcoming General Election with a two-person strategy – Gráinne Seoige in Conamara and a Galway City candidate.

The well-known broadcaster from An Spidéal, who owns a bespoke diamond jewellery business with her South African husband, Leon Jordaan, has been recruited by influential Fianna Fáil figures in Conamara to put her name forward to the party’s selection convention in September.

Ms Seoige did not respond to requests for comment, with local sources confirming she wanted to speak first with the party faithful, whose vote she needs to get on the Fianna Fáil ticket.

The 50-year-old former newsreader on TG4, RTÉ, and Sky News, who has also worked with TV3 and most recently Virgin Media, has been interviewed in the past week by national Fianna Fáil TDs to ascertain her suitability for politics.

Three men have declared their intention to contest the convention – Alan Cheevers, John Connolly, and Ollie Crowe – and other candidates could yet throw their hat in the ring, such as Gerry King, Daithí Ó Cualáin and Daragh Ó Tuairisg.

It’s understood Ms Seoige was ‘sounded out’ by senior Fianna Fáil figures in Conamara who were desperate to find a local, credible candidate with a high profile to replace Éamon Ó Cuív, who is retiring from politics at the next election.

Chairman of Galway City Comhairle Ceantair Fianna Fáil, and vice-chairman of Fianna Fáil in Galway West, Val Hanley, confirmed to the Galway City Tribune that Ms Seoige is interested in contesting a selection convention.

Mr Hanley, a former mayor of Galway, said Fianna Fáil needed more women, and it needed to protect its voter base in Conamara.

He said regardless of who gets selected in Conamara, Fianna Fáil’s city candidate should have enough votes in Galway City, Carnmore, Oranmore and Annaghdown to hold a seat; with a strong Conamara candidate capable of taking a second.

“It’s time that we broadened our horizons, spread our wings, and moved with the times. We should be a party that welcomes anybody who puts up their hand and wants to run for what is a very difficult job nowadays, especially for women,” said Mr Hanley.

Rumours that she was being backed by Deputy Ó Cuív are understood to be mischievous, and he has yet to give his blessing to anyone.

Suggestions that Ms Seoige would be added anyway, even if she doesn’t get through convention, was ‘a load of rubbish’ and an attempt to label her as a ‘headquarters’ candidate’, Mr Hanley said.

Pictured: Gráinne Seoige