Seán Kelly to seek FG European nomination

FORMER GAA president Seán Kelly yesterday announced that he will seek a European election nomination to run for Fine Gael in the Ireland South constituency.

Key Fine Gael figures, rather than party members, will decide in January on the number of candidates to be run in Munster.

Mr Kelly's decision will cause difficulties for Fine Gael's sitting MEP in the constituency, Cork-based Colm Burke who took over the seat from Simon Coveney.

Mr Burke has made it clear he intends to seek the support of rank-and-file members at a convention likely to be held in February. However, party strategists plan to have a decision made on a one- or two-candidate campaign weeks earlier, a party spokesman told The Irish Times.

"The party's national executive will take a decision.

"A corporate strategy will be adopted and a missive will be issued," he declared.

Mr Burke announced that Cork Senator Jerry Buttimer will be his constituency campaign manager, while his campaign in Cork city will be run by Owen Cafferky, a veteran FG director of elections.