Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen to contest European elections in Midlands North-West

Fianna Fáil Senators Lisa Chambers and Niall Blaney were hoping to be selected as the party’s candidate but Mr Cowen came out on top

Mr Cowen, a former agriculture minister, is now one step closer to becoming an MEP.

Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen has been selected as the party’s candidate for Midlands North West for this year’s European elections.

Mr Cowen won by a narrow margin of just 70 votes out of 2,267 cast with Mr Blaney in second position and Ms Chambers coming third.