A PROMINENT MORTGAGE campaigner has become the most high-profile independent candidate to declare his intention to run in the upcoming Dublin West by-election.
David Hall confirmed to TheJournal.ie early this morning that he plans to run in the by-election which the government intends to move the writ for next week so that it can be held on 23 May, the same day as the local and European elections.
The by-election has been sparked by the resignation of independent TD Patrick Nulty after he sent inappropriate messages to a teenage girl. A by-election will also be held in Longford-Westmeath on 23 May after the death of Fine Gael TD Nicky McFadden.
Hall has gained prominence over the last number of years for his advocacy on behalf of those struggling with their mortgage repayments. He founded the Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation and was previously involved with New Beginnings.
Hall is from the constituency, having been born in Blanchardstown and currently living in Castleknock. He was previously a member of Fianna Fáil and close to former minister Brian Lenihan but he resigned from the party after the onset of the financial crisis.
Last year he confirmed approaches at a “junior level” from members of Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil about the possibility of running in the European elections in Dublin, but he decided against it.
He has previously told this website that none of the parties “quite match my views”.
“I don’t think any of them have bathed themselves in glory on helping people who are unemployed, disadvantaged or in debt. They’d be wasting their time and mine if they approached me,” he said last month.
Hall is likely to face stiff competition from the Socialist Party’s Ruth Coppinger, who is tipped to win the seat, as well as Fine Gael’s likely candidate Eamonn Coghlan, and the Fianna Fáil candidate who is set to be local councillor David McGuinness although the late Lenihan’s sister, Anita Lenihan, is also reported to be seeking the nomination.
Labour is likely to run local councillor Mary McCamley and Sinn Féin will run Paul Donnelly, who ran in the general election and the by-election three years ago.
The Green Party will pick local activist Roderic O’Gorman who performed strongly in 2011.
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