Fianna Fáil councillors in Co Longford have called for a gender directive in their constituency to be overturned.

The party's National Constituency Committee directed that of the two candidates in the Westmeath-Longford constituency to be selected, one had to be female.

Sitting TD Robert Troy was selected for Fianna Fáil in Co Westmeath.

In a statement last night, seven Longford-based councillors criticised the party and called for the gender directive to be rejected.

“We call on the ardchomhairle not to ratify the imposed candidate and for the NCC to recall the convention in Longford whereby delegates are allowed their right to vote and thereby select a candidate,” the statement said.

“There is already widespread anger and dissent in Fianna Fáil Longford.”

The letter was signed by Cllr Seamus Butler, Cllr Mick Cahill, Cllr Padraig Loughrey, Cllr Luie McEntire, Cllr Martin Mulleady, Cllr Pat O'Toole and Cllr P J Reilly.

More than 200 delegates attended the selection convention in October. They were informed Connie Gerety-Quinn was to be the selected candidate. Members were not given the opportunity to vote.