Donegal Senator Niall Blaney has been edged out of being Fianna Fáil’s candidate for the next European Parliament elections.
The party tonight selected Laois-Offaly TD Barry Cowen to represent in the Midlands-North-West constituency for the upcoming elections.
Senator Blaney, Senator Lisa Chambers and Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher had been nominated for selection. On close of nominations Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher had withdrawn.
Party members cast their votes at a convention in Mullingar, Co Westmeath this evening.
The final ballot was Cowen – 1,142, Blaney – 1,071.
Speaking following his selection, Barry Cowen TD said: “It is a great honour and privilege, and I’m most delighted, to be endorsed by this organisation to fight to win back a seat that has been out of this constituency for too long.
“We will work as hard as we possibly can to ensure Fianna Fáil wins back a seat in the Midlands-North-West. I’m delighted that party members have seen fit to endorse me.”
