Kelly eyes Fine Gael Dáil seat

FORMER GAA president Seán Kelly confirmed yesterday he would seek a Fine Gael nomination to run in the Ireland south constituency in next year’s European elections.

The Kerryman will seek a nomination to run alongside Colm Burke, Fine Gael’s sitting MEP in the constituency, formerly known as Munster.

There had been much speculation in recent months that FG headquarters would drop Mr Burke in favour of the more high-profile Mr Kelly.

It is now thought FG will run both candidates in the elections, although it is considered unlikely the party will win two seats.

At a press conference outside Leinster House to announce his candidacy yesterday, Mr Kelly said it would be for the party strategists to decide how many candidates to run.

But asked if he felt a dual ticket could split the vote and cost FG its seat, he insisted he wanted “unity” in the party.

“I’m not into any splits, I’m into unity. And that’s what I’ve tried to do in my time in the GAA. And this is a matter for FG. They will have a convention and decide on the number of candidates… and I will just put my best foot forward, try and gather as many votes as I can, and I think there is hopefully no danger of FG losing a seat in Munster.”

Mr Kelly said he had spoken to Mr Burke “a couple of times” in recent weeks, and that the sitting MEP was realistic about the situation.

“He is a wonderful party member. He’s doing a good job and he understands politics. I understand politics, and ultimately it’s the membership of FG to decide what happens initially and the people will decide ultimately.”

Mr Kelly denied he was hoping to use his European run as a springboard to the Dáil, saying he was “not really that keen” on life at Leinster House.