Kirk to run in European elections

Fianna Fáil parliamentary party chairman Seamus Kirk was confirmed as the party’s European elections candidate for Leinster after fellow TD, Donie Cassidy, pulled out of the internal race.

The Louth TD will run in the northern end of the newly named East constituency and Junior Minister Liam Aylward from Kilkenny will contest in the southern end of the province.

Yesterday Deputy Eoin Ryan and Lord Mayor Royston Brady were selected unanimously as the Fianna Fáil candidates in Dublin for the European elections on June 11.

While Deputy Kirk was expected to win the nomination, there was no contest as Deputy Cassidy and FF national executive member Gerry Bridgette withdrew their nominations.

But Fianna Fáil still face an uphill battle to hold onto its two seats in Leinster as the East constituency has been reduced to a three seater. Sitting MEPs Liam Hyland and Jim Fitzsimons are retiring, as is Green Party MEP Nuala Ahern, but Fine Gael’s Avril Doyle is running again.

Meanwhile, a decision is due soon on whether the Munster, now called South, constituency will be divided up between Brian Crowley and Gerry Collins.