Independent Fitzmaurice was elected to Galway County Council for the Tuam area at the 2014 local elections, but within months he had entered national politics in a by-election caused by the election of Luke "Ming' Flanagan to the European Parliament. He was endorsed by Flanagan in that election. Fitzmaurice, who runs an agricultural and turf contracting business is the chair of the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association and has argued for the rights of turf cutters to "Cut their Own Turf, for their Own Use, in their own Bogs". He describes himself having roots that go "deep into the soil of Ireland". He is a founder member of the Independent Alliance. He is married to Maria and has three children. He said his greatest hope is that his children will be free to build decent lives for themselves here in the West of Ireland. – OLIVIA KELLY