Shock as Fine Gael opt not to put forward former MEP Colm Markey for election

Elsewhere, there was surprise in the Laois constituency when Cllr Conor Bergin announced he was withdrawing from the race

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.