No fourth Clare FG candidate

Fine Gael strategists have opted not to add a fourth candidate to their general election ticket in Clare following a week of intense speculation.

The strategy being adopted in the Clare constituency generated a lot of discussion at a meeting in Dublin on Tuesday night, where it was decided not to add another candidate in the Banner County.
Speculation was rife that Councillor Joe Cooney, who topped the poll in the last local elections with over 2,700 first preferences, would be added to the Fine Gael team, with outgoing deputies Pat Breen, Joe Carey and former Mayor of Clare, Councillor Tony Mulcahy.
Following the retirement of Fianna Fáil Minister, Tony Killeen, Councillor Martin Conway was hopeful of being added to the ticket. Councillor Conway told The Clare Champion he was still considering his position at this time and declined to comment any further. The Clare Champion understands that reports that Councillor Conway was going to stand as an independent candidate were off the mark.
Former Clare Deputy Madeleine Taylor-Quinn was also watching political developments in the county after she, like Councillor Conway, withdrew her name from the Fine Gael selection convention. Efforts to contact Ms Taylor-Quinn proved unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, former Clare footballer Martin Daly is still considering whether he will run for Fianna Fáil, despite withdrawing his name before the Selection Convention on Sunday.
If Fianna Fáil decide to run a third candidate to the ticket, in addition to Dr John Hillery and Deputy Timmy Dooley, Mr Daly said he would consider any request to be added.
The Lissycasey footballer revealed he was encouraged by the support he had received from phone calls and people calling into the garage on the Limerick Road, Ennis this week following the convention.
“I am still giving the matter serious consideration. I haven’t made a final decision yet. I am encouraged by the large amount of messages of support I have received this week,” he said.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore will visit Shannon this Thursday afternoon, where he will open a constituency office for the party’s general election candidate, Michael McNamara.