May 2, 2019 will see people go to the polls to vote in the local council elections to determine who will sit on the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

Sinn Féin have already announced a number of their candidates for the Erne East and Enniskillen Districts after recent conventions.

Sitting Councillors Debbie Coyle and Tommy Maguire have been selected as the party's Enniskillen DEA candidates, while Noeleen Hayes is the newest candidate in Erne East. She joins current Councillors Sheamus Greene, Brian McCaffrey and Thomas O'Reilly for the May 2019 election.

Speaking after the selection convention, Councillor Tommy Maguire said: “We are proud and honoured to have been selected by party members to go forward for Ard Chomhairle ratification to contest the council elections in the Enniskillen DEA next May.

“We have a strong party organisation in the area and an experienced and dynamic council team."

Speaking about new candidate Noeleen Hayes, Councillor Brian McCaffrey said: “We are delighted that Noeleen Hayes has been selected as a candidate, alongside Councillor Sheamus Greene, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly and myself, at tonight’s convention.

“Noeleen is active in our community, including in the Maguiresbridge area where she resides, having been a board member of the Maguiresbridge Cross-Community Toddler Group and a committee member of the Maguiresbridge Community and Development Association.

After the Enniskillen selection Convention, Councillor Coyle said: “Sinn Féin has delivered and we will continue to deliver and stand up for all the citizens of the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area.”

Selection conventions for Erne North and Erne West have not taken place.

Independent Councillor for Omagh, Sorcha McAnespy confirms that she will run again in 2019. However, Councillor McAnespy is uncertain whether she will run again as an Independent or as a Fianna Fáil candidate.

In October, Fianna Fáil announced McAnespy as their first candidate north of the border for next year's Council elctions but shortly after, it was announced that the she did not have the backing of the party.

Councillor McAnespy, a member of the Fianna Fáil National Executive is expected to learn in the coming weeks if she will run on an Independent ticket or for Fianna Fáil.

"I'll not know for sure until after December 6, that is when the National Executive meeting is. I will be running. I am a current councillor and want to continue to work for the constituents of Omagh. I do intend to run and continue the work I'm doing and would like to be representing Fianna Fáil."

In Erne West, Bernice Swift will be running again as an Independent.

“I confirm I am standing as an Independent candidate for all of the people right across Erne West Fermanagh who I have consistently, and effectively represented on all of the important issues for the past 13 years.

"During my years of Super Council representation, I have been pro-active in participating on key Committees by delivering a pivotal role in demonstrating my personal ability to speak up for our rural citizens and my rural voters. Erne West Fermanagh needs a strong independent voice and that’s me.”

No agreement has been made on candidates for the DUP but the process is still ongoing however sitting Enniskillen DEA Councillor Keith Elliott is expected to run in next year's election.

The SDLP and UUP have still to name their candidates with announcements hoping to be made before the Christmas break.