Former Independent Mayo TD Jerry Cowley has joined the Labour Party, it was announced tonight.
Dr Cowley (47) a GP and barrister based in Mulranny, was elected in the Mayo constituency in 2002, polling over 8,700 votes.
He was elected on a platform of improving local health services in the county. He was a prominent supporter of the Rossport Five, a stance which set him against all the sitting TDs in the Mayo constituency.
He lost his seat in the 2007 general election.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said the move was a significant boost for the party in Mayo. "I am confident that the recruitment of Jerry Cowley will give the party in Mayo a great lift and place us in a position to contest strongly for a Dáil seat in the next general election," he said.
"I am also delighted that Jerry's experience as a GP on the ground, in a rural area, will be an additional resource for us in the development and communication of our health policy."
Dr Cowley said that while he was proud of his achievements as a TD, it showed him the limitations of what an Independent could do. "I am convinced that the Labour Party will be in government after the next election and I want to see a Labour TD returned for Mayo," he said.
"I have greatly admired Eamon Gilmore's approach since he was elected leader of the Labour Party," he said. "His outspoken criticism of the Fianna Fáil government, his courage in saying what needs to be said, and his determination to offer the people of this country a sense of hope and the prospect of real change has struck a
chord with people all over the country.
"I now look forward to working with Eamon and with the Labour Party in Mayo to bring about the change of government that is now so essential for national recovery."
