FF selects candidates for Dublin by-elections

Fianna Fáil has selected its two candidates for the forthcoming by-elections in Dublin.

Councillor Maurice Ahern, the brother of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, defeated Councillor Mary Fitzpatrick last night to win the nomination in the Dublin Central constituency.

He will be up against Fine Gael's Paschal Donohoe, Labour's Ivana Bacik, Independent Maureen O'Sullivan and David Geary of the Greens.

In Dublin South, meanwhile, Shay Brennan, the son of the late minister Seamus Brennan, was selected after defeating Senator Maria Corrigan.

Meanwhile, former RTÉ economics editor George Lee was also officially selected last night as the Fine Gael candidate in Dublin South.

He and Mr Brennan will be up against Labour's Alex White and Elizabeth Davidson of the Greens.