Fianna Fáil aim to split Crowley vote to boost Hartley

Fianna Fáil will today launch a last-minute change of strategy by carving up Ireland South in a move expected to anger its sitting MEP, Brian Crowley, who is known for closely guarding his huge vote share.

Party headquarters will begin a local media advertising campaign in the eastern counties of the constituency appealing to Fianna Fáil voters to give first preferences to its struggling candidate, Kieran Hartley. The move is a last-ditch attempt to share the massive vote of Mr Crowley — who polls consistently over 30% — and redistribute it to Mr Hartley, who is barely in the running with 2% support.

The ads will appeal to Fianna Fáil core voters in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, and Wicklow to return an MEP from the South East.