FF denies bid to delay by-elections

FIANNA FÁIL last night denied making an informal approach to other parties to hold the Meath and Kildare North by-elections on May 5, the same day as the British general election.

According to senior source in another party, a sounding-out approach had been made by FF about a possible May 5 date.

The rationale for holding it on the day of the British election, said the source, was that Sinn Féin would find it more difficult to bring hundreds of volunteers down from the North to canvass both constituencies, as they would be required by the party for its Northern campaign.