Sinn Féin choose two for selection

Update

Tonight's convention has been postponed as a mark of respect to Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O'Brien whose mother has passed away. 

It will now take place on 26 September in the Commons Inn at 7.30pm.

 

Earlier

Two people have thrown their hat in the ring to be chosen by Sinn Féin (SF) to contest the Cork North Central by-election.

The by-election is to fill Billy Kellher’s vacant Dáil seat after he was elected an MEP during May’s election.

Sitting councillor Thomas Gould and Mandy O’Leary Hegarty will contest the selection convention this evening, 19 September. Ms O’Leary Hegarty stood for the party in Cork City North-East area in May’s local elections but wasn’t successful in taking a council seat. Cllr Kenneth Collins had been in the running but withdrew his name on Tuesday.

SF Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD will deliver the keynote address this evening at the Commons Inn at 7.30pm.

Speaking before Tuesday, SF TD for Cork North Central Jonathan O’Brien said: “It is a sign of the strength of Sinn Féin in Cork city that three people of such calibre are seeking the nomination. The party is growing all the time. The level of competition reflects the appetite amongst Sinn Féin activists in Cork to fight for their communities and represent people at every level.”

It comes as the Green Party recently selected current sitting councillor Oliver Moran as their nomination and Fine Gael selected Senator Colm Burke. Fianna Fáil’s pick is Cork County Cllr Padraig O’Sullivan.