Outcome depends on how veterans’ votes fall

THE unexpected retirement of two of Cork North Central’s political heavyweights has added a frisson of sorts to the campaigns of those seeking a seat in the 31st Dáil.

Deputy Bernard Allen bowed out at the end of last month after 31 years representing the constituency while North Central’s most outspoken TD, Noel O’Flynn, whom many had thought might go independent, also announced he would be leaving national politics.

In Bernard Allen’s case, the 61-year-old made the decision on health grounds. In Noel O’Flynn’s case, the writing was on the wall. With Fianna Fáil on 15% nationally and O’Flynn not even making the quota last time around, his running ran the risk of the shrunken Fianna Fáil vote being split and the likelihood that neither would be returned to the Dáil.