McGuinness may see FG battle for Louth seat

FINE GAEL has high hopes that a re-run of the high-octane internal battle between Mairéad McGuinness and Avril Doyle in the Euro 2004 elections can win the party two seats in the Louth constituency in next year’s general election.

Ms McGuinness, an MEP for the East constituency, is on the verge of putting an end to months of uncertainty about whether she will remain in Europe or throw her lot in for a Dáil bid.

Senior strategists have made no secret of their wish that Ms McGuinness stand for the party, a contest which could see her pitted against Fine Gael’s high-profile spokesman on the environment Fergus O’Dowd

A party spokesman told the Irish Examiner yesterday that she was close to making a decision.

“The likeliest options are Louth and Meath West. There is potential of winning extra seats in both constituencies.”

However, expectations have been fuelled by an article in the Drogheda Independent this week that suggests that Ms McGuinness wants to stand in Louth, where she lives.

Mr O’Dowd is the party’s sole representative in the four-seat constituency. If she throws her hat into the ring, the gamble on winning an extra seat might lead to Mr O’Dowd losing his seat.