U-turn as SF’s King decides to run in by-election

Sinn Féin has nominated councillor Cathal King as its candidate for the imminent Dublin South West by-election — just weeks after he insisted he would not run in order to make room for a female candidate.

Mr King was elected to contest the Dáil seat yesterday during a party selection process at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght, beating fellow councillor Máire Devine to the nomination.

A former South Dublin County Council mayor, Mr King had initially insisted he would not try to take the seat left empty by Fine Gael’s Brian Hayes after his European Parliament election in order to increase the Dáil gender balance.