Senator Niall Blaney has pulled out of the Fianna Fail Candidate Selection Convention for the upcoming general election.
Senator Blaney was one of six candidates from which two names were due to be chosen to contest the next election for the Fianna Fail party in Donegal.
However, Donegal Daily understands that Senator Blaney has now withdrawn from the race.
This leaves Minister Charlie McConalogue, Councillor Donal Kelly, former MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher, Councillor Michael Naughton and Ben Harkin as the names due to contest the vote.
We also understand that Fianna Fail headquarters has also decided that a district convention model will be used at the convention.
This means that Pat the Cope Gallagher and Michael Naughton will contest the nomination in Donegal South and Minister McConalogue, Councillor Kelly and Ben Harkin will contest the nomination in Donegal North.
The convention will be held this Thursday, September 12th in the Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny at 6pm.
We have contacted Senator Blaney’s office for a comment.
