FG to select runner for Donegal seat

Fine Gael has confirmed it will hold a convention on February 15th to select a candidate for Donegal South West, although a date for the byelection has not yet been set.

A vacancy in the constituency of Tánaiste Mary Coughlan was caused by the election of Fianna Fáil’s Pat “the Cope” Gallagher to the European Parliament in June of last year.

Donegal county councillors being mentioned locally as potential Fine Gael candidates are Barry O’Neill from Ballyshannon and Terence Slowey from Ardara, as well as Martin Harley from Ballybofey.

Fine Gael’s TD in Donegal North East, Joe McHugh, has been named as the party’s director of elections.