Green’s Ahern will not run

GREEN MEP Nuala Ahern yesterday announced she will not be contesting next June’s European elections, opening the way for a fierce battle in Leinster.

The constituency has not been redrawn but its seats have been reduced from four to three for next year’s elections. Fianna Fáil’s two MEPs in Leinster, Liam Hyland and Jim Fitzsimons are also resigning and former Fine Gael leader John Buruton is expected to be a candidate together with current Fine Gael MEP Avril Doyle.

Two women politicians yesterday put themselves forward to contest Nuala Ahern’s seat and Party leader Trevor Sargent, TD, said he would not be surprised if other people were also interested.