Former Cork Labour stalwart Noel McCarthy set to join Fine Gael ranks

A former Labour Party stalwart in Co Cork is expected to announce within days that he will join Fine Gael and run as a candidate for that party in the next general election.

Cllr Noel McCarthy left Labour a couple of weeks ago after becoming disillusioned with the party and has been approached by Fine Gael to run as a candidate in the Cork East constituency alongside its sitting TDs David Stanton and Tom Barry.

Mr McCarthy, who runs an off-licence in Fermoy, admitted he was talking to Fine Gael but said he would not be making any further comment until these talks had concluded.