Denied the chance to run for the position of Public Relations Officer for the Mayo County Board, Michael Gallagher explained to Off the Ball why he intends to challenge a decision that he believes has been made illegally.
As he explained to Off the Ball's Eoin Sheahan earlier this month, Michael Gallagher, an outspoken critic of Mayo's County Board, had intended to run for the position of PRO at the county's Annual General Meeting next month.
Speaking on Tuesday's OTB AM, however, Gallagher outlined how he had been removed from the race, alleging that the Mayo County Board had conspired against him in doing so.
"We are going to take on Mayo County Board," he asserted, "and go as far as we have to.
"Myself, my wife and my two daughters have had to take the decision that we are going to go legal on this.
"It is absolutely incorrect what they've done: incorrect morally, legally and sportingly. I think Mayo County Board thought we'd fade away, wait until next year to run again.
"Initially those were the thoughts we had because nobody likes conflict, and particularly my family do not like any conflict with Mayo GAA because it has been part of our lives for generations, but [we're not going away]."
The issue with Michael Gallagher's candidacy rests with his club membership.
According to the Mayo County Board, Gallagher was not a registered member of his club before 31 March 2019 and therefore cannot be considered for a role on the County Board at this year's AGM.
Throughout the duration of his interview on Tuesday's OTB AM, Gallagher remained coy on the exact nature of his refusal to accept this ruling, but outlined that he was confident of his legal standing as he prepares to fight it.
"There is much more to this," he asserted in response to questions regarding his club registration status in late March. "We are asking that Mayo County Board use the rule the way they have used it for the past decade.
"We have concrete information in our hands that this was not the way the rule was enforced for the past decade.
"[I've] been singled out for different treatment than many other officers and members of the Executive.
"It is obvious that the Mayo County Board don't have a legal leg to stand on. We will take this as far as we have to go, and I mean as far as we have to go."
Amid such circumstances, Michael Gallagher outlined his request to the Mayo County Board:
"I am asking for the Mayo County Board to stand back from their decision on Sunday night which is legally incorrect and to reinstate me in the race.
"That is all I am looking for. This is going to cost a huge amount of money to Martina [Gallagher's wife] and I, but we're very confident we are going to win so it'll cost a lot of money to the Mayo County Board."
With the county's AGM due to take place next month, Gallagher asserted that he would attempt to seek an injunction that would halt the occurrence of any meeting if his requests were not met.
You can listen to the interview in its entirety here.
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