Cowen’s best friend in politics calls it a day

IN SPITE of being a local Fianna Fáil heavyweight since the 1980s, Batt O’Keeffe’s chances of taking a seat in Cork North West this time round were looking particularly precarious.

Ever since he moved to the more rural constituency before the 2007 general election, he knew that each election would be a battle.

He was victorious last time but with support for Fianna Fáil at 14% nationally and party running mate Michael Moynihan commanding a solid personal vote in the north of the constituency, and the former Fine Gael Mayor and Ballincollig-based county councillor, Derry Canty, running too, the odds were stacked against the Enterprise Minister who had taken the third seat last time around.