Fine Gael race begins after MEP resigns

THE battle has begun in Fine Gael for the nomination to stand for the European Parliament in the elections next June following yesterday’s unexpected resignation of John Cushnahan.

A number of names have been floated with Cork North city deputy Bernard Allen heading the list followed by Simon Coveney, TD for Cork South central.

Mr Cushnahan held one of the four Munster seats for almost 15 years and is one of the few to have successfully transferred from Northern Irish politics. He was leader of the non-sectarian Alliance Party and a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly until it was dissolved in 1986.