Surprise for FG as Allen beaten into second place

THE Fine Gael General Election selection convention for Cork North Central constituency threw up a major surprise when the party’s standard bearer, Bernard Allen, was beaten into second place.

It is understood that Pat Burton, who was only elected as a county councillor last year, topped the poll of delegates with 95 votes, 10 ahead of Mr Allen.

Former MEP Colm Burke is believed to have received 55 votes, while former lord mayor of Cork Cllr Dara Murphy received 35 votes.