FF may drop one Cork East candidate

SPECULATION is mounting that Fianna Fáil is planning to run just one candidate in Cork East where the party currently holds two seats.

There were unconfirmed reports last night that Fianna Fáil HQ is seeking to implement a one-seat strategy in the constituency, and that either outgoing TD Michael Ahern or Cork County Councillor Kevin O’Keeffe will be asked to step aside. Mr O’Keeffe is the son of outgoing TD Ned O’Keeffe who has announced his intention to retire from politics.

Internal party polls show that Fianna Fáil commands just 17% of the vote in Cork East, making it almost impossible for the party to capture two seats.