Rugby player and radio DJ in the mix for Fine Gael's local election ticket

Leo Varadkar told his party's special conference that 70% of Fine Gael's candidates for the next local elections had been selected and the rest would be picked by Christmas

Leo Varadkar flanked by Simon Coveney and Mairead McGuinness  at Fine Gael's special conference on Saturday in the Glen Royal Hotel, Maynooth. Picture: Douglas O'Connor 

An entrepreneur who's retired from professional rugby, a 21-year-old, a radio DJ and a woman looking to become the first elected in her area are among those hoping to win seats for Fine Gael in next year's local elections.

The party's leader Leo Varadkar said at the special conference on Saturday that 70% of the party's candidates for the locals had been selected and that the rest would be picked by Christmas.