FF to select new Meath by-election candidate in coming days

Fianna Fáil is reportedly planning to select a new candidate for the forthcoming Meath by-election in the coming days.

Councillor Tommy Reilly had been selected to contest the election by the local branch of Fianna Fáil, but he withdrew his candidacy yesterday amid controversy over a 1997 land deal.

It emerged over the past couple of weeks that Mr Reilly had purchased land at Eddoxtown, Co Meath with the disgraced political lobbyist Frank Dunlop, using an offshore shelf company.

Reports this morning said Fianna Fáil was planning to select a new candidate by Friday, with Navan-based councillor Shane Cassells favourite to secure the nomination.

Other possible candidates include Sharon Keogan from Duleek, James Mangan from Tara, Dominic Moran from Kells and Adrian O'Donnell from Carlanstown.