By-elections make for triple jeopardy

THE Government faces the prospect of a triple hammering in June, after confirming it will hold two Dáil by-elections on the same day as the local and European elections.

Local authority, European Parliament and now Dáil seats will all be up for grabs on June 5, with polls suggesting the Government will fare badly in all three.

Environment Minister John Gormley last night confirmed the Dublin South and Dublin Central by-elections, caused by the deaths of Fianna Fáil’s Seamus Brennan and Independent Tony Gregory respectively, would be held on June 5.