Fine Gael headhunts election prospects

Fine Gael has begun headhunting candidates for next year’s local elections after constituency party officials were told to prepare for an earlier-than-expected date.

Party headquarters have told councillors and those preparing to run that local and European elections are expected to be held in May 2014, a month earlier than expected.

Fine Gael general secretary Tom Curran and long-term party advisor Frank Flannery have begun holding interviews with prospective candidates.