Martin reveals ‘preferred list’ for Seanad seats

FIANNA FÁIL leader Micheál Martin has named former finance minister Brian Lenihan as his deputy in a move that could make it harder for the party to disassociate itself from previous failures.

Mr Martin has also effectively waged war on a number of his senators by urging Fianna Fáil councillors and TDs to vote for other candidates in next month’s Seanad elections.

Mr Martin yesterday released his list of “preferred candidates” for the elections.

It contained 10 names — most of whom are young by political standards and regarded as having long careers ahead of them.

But it excludes several outgoing veteran Fianna Fáil senators who are seeking re-election, such as Donie Cassidy, Terry Leyden and Ann Ormonde.

They will face an uphill battle to be elected because Mr Martin has urged those within his party who have votes to back the candidates on his list.

The list also included former junior minister Sean Connick and former TDs Thomas Byrne and Darragh O’Brien, all of whom lost their seats in last month’s general election.

It also included senators Brian Ó Domhnaill, Marc McSharry and James Carroll, councillors Mary Fitzpatrick and Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, and former ministerial adviser Averil Power.

The last name on the list was Cllr Kenneth O’Flynn, son of former Cork North Central TD Noel O’Flynn, who stood down at the election to afford running mate Billy Kelleher a better chance of holding his seat.

Mr O’Flynn’s inclusion will fuel the belief that it was part of a deal agreed between his father and the party leader.