Ms Ann Leonard, a 27-year-old nurse and a daughter of outgoing Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fail deputy, Mr Jimmy Leonard, was selected at a party convention in Cootehill, Co Cavan, last night, to contest the seat which her father held for 23 years.
She defeated six other contenders, including the chairman of Monaghan GAA board, Mr Aidan Quigley. The other nominees withdrew after the initial vote. Outgoing deputies Dr Rory O'Hanlon and Mr Brendan Smith were unanimously selected.