Election battle to be a family affair

The battle for next year’s general election in Clare will be a family affair, as Fianna Fáil’s John Hillery looks set to contest the election against his future son-in-law, Independent Michael McNamara.

Dr Hillery, the son of former president Patrick Hillery, gained 6,000 first preferences in the 2011 general election, but was still not expected to put himself forward as a candidate for Fianna Fáil in Clare.

Mr McNamara, who was expelled from Labour’s parliamentary party on Thursday, announced his engagement to Dr Hillery’s daughter, Sarah-Jane Hillery, earlier this year.