PDs pick Minihane to fight election

THE Progressive Democrats selected Senator John Minihan last night to fight the next general election in one of Cork’s toughest constituencies.

The former army captain will have a battle on his hands to win one of Cork South Central’s five seats.

Sitting TDs include Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin, Fine Gael MEP Simon Coveney, Junior Minister Batt O’Keeffe of Fianna Fáil - who is moving to Cork North West - Fianna Fáil’s John Dennehy and the Green Party’s Dan Boyle.

Candidates in a forthcoming election look set to include Labour councillor Ciarán Lynch and Fianna Fáil’s Michael McGrath. Lord Mayor Deirdre Clune is tipped to run with Simon Coveney for Fine Gael.

Mr Minihan was born in 1957 and raised in Douglas. While in the army, he served on overseas UN missions and as Adjutant at Collins Barracks from 1992. He retired from the army in 1996 as captain to run his late uncle’s chemist business on Oliver Plunkett Street before deciding to try politics.

He was elected to Cork City Council in 1999 to represent the South-East ward. Now living with his wife Patricia and their children on the northside, Mr Minihan unsuccessfully ran in Cork North-West constituency in the 2002 general election.