Fine Gael councillor Michael Creed seeks to replace cousin as election candidate in Cork

Michael Creed TD confirmed to a private Fine Gael meeting in April 2023 he would not contest the next general election

From left: Fine Gael councillors Michael Creed, Eileen Lynch and Ted Lucey after being  elected to the Macroom Local Electoral Area with, right, Michael Creed TD at Cork County Hall last month. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Fine Gael councillor Michael Creed is seeking to replace his first cousin, Michael Creed TD, as the party’s nominee for the upcoming general election in Cork North-West.

The party is due to host its selection convention for the constituency on Monday, July 22.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Cllr Creed confirmed he would be putting his name forward for selection at the convention to replace the outgoing TD.

“I will be putting my name forward before the delegates… It’s my one and only chance to have a cut off it, so I said I’d do it,” Cllr Creed said.

He said he had “strong links” to the area, but it may be difficult for him to get through the selection process.

This is due to the two other Fine Gael candidates — councillors Eileen Lynch and John Paul O’Shea — who are likely to contest the convention.

The Macroom man said his cousin, sitting TD and former minister Michael Creed, would not back him in the upcoming convention, saying it would be unfair on the other candidates in the race.

The former agriculture minister confirmed to a private Fine Gael meeting in April 2023 he would not contest the next general election.

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The Fine Gael headquarters has ordered that all selection conventions for the upcoming general election must be completed before September 22, which has fueled speculation over a poll before the end of the year.

A number of other Fine Gael selection conventions are taking place across Cork over the coming weeks, including in Cork South Central.

Six candidates are expected to be in the running to replace former Tánaiste Simon Coveney, who is likely to announce he is stepping down in the weeks ahead. These six are likely to include former Ireland South MEP candidate John Mullins.