He was chosen by 500 party members and supporters at a selection convention held in Sligo this weekend.Colr MacLochlainn was proposed by Caoimhghín O Caoláin, TD for Cavan/ Monaghan, seconded by Deputy Mayor of Galway, Cllr Dermot Connolly, and supported unanimously by the convention.

The Northwest EU constituency covers eleven counties (Clare, Longford, Westmeath, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan) and ten Dáil constituencies. Since the EU election in 2004, counties Longford and Westmeath have been added on to the Northwest constituency in the most recent constituency boundary review.

Speaking at the event Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams described Cllr. Mac Lochlainn as "an exceptional candidate who has served the people of Donegal and Sinn Féin with commitment and energy. I am confident that with Padraig's record of exemplary work, and a good organisational campaign by Sinn Fein, that we can look forward to a successful European election campaign across the island."

Addressing the convention after his selection, Colr Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said: "The people of the Northwest constituency deserve better. Be it our farming and fishing communities, our hospitals and schools, our road and rail infrastructure, our young people seeking employment in their home counties, we have been let down failed. The protests ongoing in response to the disgraceful budget cuts are indicative of a public that have had enough of bluff and bluster representation. Sinn Féin believes in people power and we stand shoulder to shoulder with our communities.

"It is clear that the three sitting MEPs in this constituency by backing the Lisbon Treaty demonstrated that they are not in tune with the people's concerns about the direction that Europe is moving in and Ireland's interests being protected. We are a small state, less than 1% of the population of Europe. Therefore, we must truly be at the heart of Europe as equals reflecting our sovereignty and proud history and not as an outpost, out of sight and out of mind. Sinn Féin has proven that we will not tolerate that scenario. As our two MEPs, Mary Lou McDonald and Bairbre de Brún have proven, we will fight for Irish interests in Europe.

"It is clear with our huge vote in 2004 in this constituency and the work of our 55 elected representatives across it, that we have a real chance of winning this seat.

"We will be working flat out over the next eight months until Election Day to win the necessary support of the people. We look forward to that challenge with confidence".