Labour choose councillor to contest by-election

The Labour Party has selected local councillor Paddy MacNamara as the party’s candidate in the forthcoming Kildare North by-election.

Cllr MacNamara, who is 39, who topped the poll in the Naas area in June’s local elections, was chosen at a party convention in Kill last night.

Labour is the largest opposition party in the North Kildare constituency and the party is hopeful of taking the seat, which was vacated by former finance minister Charlie McCreevy’s exit to the EU Commission.

Cllr MacNamara said: “The election of a Labour Party candidate will send out the strongest possible message that there must be a genuine change from the economic policies of the McCreevy era and that the Government must now start delivering for ordinary families.”

Party chief whip and North TD, Emmet Stagg, has been appointed as Director of Elections for the by-election.

The by-election, which is expected to be held next spring, could take place on the same day as the Meath constituency by-election, caused by John Bruton’s appointment as EU ambassador to Washington.