Sean Kelly dismisses claims of SF pact

FINE GAEL MEP candidate Sean Kelly has dismissed claims of an election pact with counterpart Toireasa Ferris, despite a major advert from the Sinn Féin representative’s supporters calling for voters to “send two Kerry MEPs to Europe”.

In the latest edition of The Kerryman newspaper, Sinn Féin election organisers published a large advert urging support for their candidate and calling for the public to vote for Ms Ferris to ensure that two Kerry MEPs are elected.

The comment, which came just days after Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was forced to deny a potential pact with the republican party, is believed to have targeted the number two vote from supporters of former GAA president Sean Kelly.

Opinion polls have placed Independent Maurice Sexton on just 1% of the vote compared with Mr Kelly, who has polled second in the three-seater area.

Rival candidates have claimed the Sinn Féin advert is an unofficial attempt to ensure votes for Mr Kelly are transferred to Ms Ferris in the Kerry region.

However, despite the suggestions, both candidates denied there is any unofficial pact in place between the two Kerry-based candidates.

“I have nothing at all to do with that advert, and I wouldn’t even say it refers to me,” Mr Kelly told the Irish Examiner, adding that he has previously called on supporters to transfer their votes to his party colleague Colm Burke if elected.

“I said from the outset that I am running for Fine Gael, that I want people to vote one me, two Burke, and there are no plans for other plans.

“I have no knowledge of this advert and it may not even refer to me,” he added.

A spokesperson for Ms Ferris also denied the existence of any unofficial election pact in the Kerry area.

“It would be of benefit to the people of Kerry if there are two candidates elected from the county.

“I would hope any transfers are sent on, nobody would say no to transfers, but that advertisement was thought up before the outburst of hostilities from the parties,” the spokesperson said.

Despite a widely reported falling out between Fine Gael Ireland South candidates Colm Burke and Sean Kelly, in the past fortnight both MEP hopefuls have said they are in support of a party-organised “carving up” of the constituency in an attempt to win two seats for Fine Gael.