Blow to FG as Bradford decides not to contest general election

ANOTHER leading Fine Gael politician in Co Cork has announced that he will not be contesting the next general election.

Senator Paul Bradford, who was elected to the Dáil in 1989, 1992, and 1997 — and who amazingly lost a seat in 2007 despite gaining 8,900 first preference votes — confirmed last night that it was time to step aside for “younger blood” to represent the party in the Cork East constituency.

He is the latest casualty in FG ranks in the county, following the resignation of the party’s two stalwarts in the Cork South-West constituency — Paddy Sheehan and Jim O’Keeffe.