Shock as Fine Gael opt not to put forward former MEP Colm Markey for election
Ahead of the convention, Colm Markey (pictured) said that an experienced voice would be needed to replace outgoing TD Fergus O'Dowd. File picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
The decision not to select former MEP Colm Markey in Louth was among the surprises from Fine Gael's selection conventions this week.
The party chose seven candidates to run in the general election bringing the total number of selections so far to 41.
Senator John McGahon and Cllr Paula Butterly were the two picked in the Louth constituency at a convention on Thursday night which was chaired by Leo Varadkar.
It had been speculated that Mr Markey did not contest the recent European elections because he would be going for a seat in the Dáil.
When the decision was announced to run former jockey Nina Carberry in his place, Simon Coveney said that Mr Markey would likely run for the Dáil adding that "he's going to very much be a part of the future".
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Ahead of the convention, Mr Markey — who has represented the people of Louth at local, national and EU level over the past 20 years — said that an experienced voice would be needed to replace outgoing TD Fergus O'Dowd.
Elsewhere, there was shock in the Laois constituency when Cllr Conor Bergin announced he was withdrawing from the race despite being nominated and seconded.
As a result, Cllr Willie Aird — the last candidate standing — secured the only spot as Fine Gael opted to run just one candidate despite Laois becoming a three-seat constituency.
With Charlie Flanagan announcing his retirement last year, the next general election will mark the first since the 1950s that a member of the Flanagan family will not represent Fine Gael on the ballot.
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