Enda Kenny makes last-ditch bid to save campaign

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is writing to members in 14 make-or-break constituencies urging them to support weaker candidates in a last-ditch bid to save the party’s faltering election campaign.

The Fine Gael leader and the party’s director of elections, Brian Hayes, have told voters to throw their support behind the second candidates in their area to drag them over the line and secure their party’s return to power.

Under the move — which emerged as Mr Kenny was forced to apologise for his “whingers” remark — Fine Gael has told 14 candidates certain for re-election to tell their supporters to back the second local candidate to help the wider party.