FF at risk of losing Kelleher’s seat in city to Socialist Party

THE Socialist Party could take the Dáil seat of former junior minister, Billy Kelleher, after a poll showed a collapse of Fianna Fáil support in Cork North Central.

The party could have expected a surge after Micheál Martin from the neighbouring constituency took over the leadership of the party, but it has dropped from 36% in 2007 to just 13% in the latest poll.

It shows that Labour, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin are likely to take a seat each. And Mr Kelleher will have a fight on his hand for the fourth seat, battling it out with Mick Barry of the Socialist Party — also on 13%.