Fine Gael to hold convention in Kerry earlier than planned

Fine Gael has decided to hold a convention to select general election candidates in the Kerry constituency earlier than planned.

The party had intended to hold the convention in the autumn, but it has now been fixed for June 28.

Party sources yesterday declined to say if bringing forward the convention had anything to do with recent speculation that an election may be held late this year rather than early next year.

Fine Gael holds two of the current six seats in Kerry and the party’s outgoing deputies, Diaspora Minister Jimmy Deenihan and Brendan Griffin, both intend to contest the next election.

Kerry will be a single, five-seat constituency and, with one sitting deputy set to lose, the election is certain to be exceptionally hard fought.

The two outgoing FG TDs are strategically located in the northern and southern sides of the constituency. They are expected to be nominated at the convention. However, there will be pressure from other aspirants for a three-candidate FG ticket.

Senator Tom Sheahan, who lost his Dáil seat to Mr Griffin in the 2011 election, has confirmed his intentions. Another likely contender is Tralee mayor and long-time FG councillor Jim Finucane, but he may not enter the race unless party headquarters directs the selection of three candidates.

Fianna Fáil has already chosen two candidates in Kerry — current county council chairman John Brassil and councillor Norma Moriarty.

However, speculation continues as to the intentions of former Kerry Fianna Fáil TD Thomas McEllistrim, who failed to win a nomination despite heading the poll in the first count at the party’s recent convention.