The Labour Party has selected Dr Mary Upton to contest the forthcoming by-election in Dublin South Central. She is a sister of the late Dr Pat Upton whose death earlier this year caused the Dail vacancy.
Dr Upton (53) was selected unopposed last night following the decision of the former Democratic Left TD Mr Eric Byrne not to seek the Labour nomination. At last night's selection convention she was endorsed by both Mr Byrne and the Labour Party president Mr Proinsias De Rossa.
A native of Co Clare, Dr Upton is a graduate of UCG. She has been a lecturer in microbiology at UCD since 1969 and currently leads a team researching the e-coli bacteria
.She has been a member of the Labour Party since 1983 and managed her brother's general election campaigns in 1989, 1992 and 1997.