FG’s Hayes admits Tipp strategy may be risky

A SENIOR Fine Gael member admitted yesterday he is worried about his party’s “high-risk strategy” of running two candidates in his three-seat constituency.

Tipperary South’s outgoing TD Tom Hayes is being joined on the Fine Gael ticket for the election by Clonmel-based businessman Michael Murphy — the first time the party has run two candidates since the constituency was reduced from four seats to three.

The decision on electoral strategy was made by party headquarters, the Fine Gael road safety spokesman and former parliamentary party chairman said at his campaign launch in Clonmel.