Cowen rallies behind ‘lagging’ FF candidate

FINANCE Minister Brian Cowen last night attempted to curtail speculation that Fianna Fáil had given up hope on its North Kildare by-election candidate, Aine Brady, by insisting she still had a chance of winning.

Ms Brady, the sister of Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt, is thought to be lagging behind Independent Catherine Murphy and Labour candidate Paddy McNamara in the running for the seat vacated by Mr Cowen’s predecessor, Charlie McCreevy.

Polling takes place on Friday, the same day as the by-election in Meath, and Fianna Fáil has had to deny repeatedly that it has shifted its focus towards the latter.