Kelly joins the Labour Party

Independent Roscommon Councillor John Kelly (49), who polled more than 4,500 votes in the 2007 general election, has today joined the Labour Party.

Welcoming the announcement Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore said it was intent on winning a seat in Roscommon at the next general election.

Mr Kelly, a native of Oran, topped the poll and got elected on the first count with 2,230 votes in the Castlerea electoral area in last June’s local elections.

Running as an Independent in the 2007 general election in the Roscommon-Leitrim South constituency, he secured 4,539 first-preference votes, getting eliminated on the third count.

Mr Kelly also topped the poll in the 2004 local elections when he ran in the Ballaghadereen electoral area.

He has been the community welfare officer for the Ballaghadereen area for more than 24 years.

Commenting on his decision to join the Labour Party today, Mr Kelly said he believed he could work more effectively for the people of Roscommon as a member of the party.

John Kelly is the second high-polling councillor recruited to the Labour Party this year following former Sinn Féin councillor Killian Forde defection last month.

Eamon Gilmore said the recruitment of Mr Kelly was a significant development for the party.

"I have no doubt that the decision of a councillor as respected and well-regarded as John Kelly will lead to significant expansion and development of the party in the county. If we are to capitalise on the strong showing of Labour in the opinion polls, it is essential that we expand and develop in areas where we have not been traditionally strong," he said.

"I very much welcome the decision of John Kelly to join the Labour Party and I believe the decision will put Labour on the road to winning a seat in Dáil Éireann in Roscommon/South Leitrim at the next general election.