Opponent in last-ditch bid to halt Seanad poll

The Clerk of the Seanad has been urged to withdraw the name of Fine Gael candidate John McNulty from the nomination papers for the forthcoming by-election to fill a vacant seat in the Upper House.

Independent candidate Gerard Craughwell wrote to Deirdre Lane last night saying Mr McNulty is “no longer eligible” to stand as a candidate for the Seanad’s Cultural Panel.

Mr Craughwell’s last-ditch attempt to halt the election comes as 226 TDs and senators are due to begin casting their ballots today to elect Deirdre Clune’s replacement.