THE Progressive Democrats' two candidates in Limerick East in the general election will he Mr Des O'Malley, the former party leader, and a councillor, Mr Eddie Creighton (55) a carpenter from Hospital, Co Limerick.
At the party's convention in, Castleconnell, Mr O'Malley was unanimously selected. There was a keen contest among three candidates for the second nomination following the decision of the outgoing TD, Mr Peadar Clohessy, not to run again. Mr Creighton received 58 votes from the 103 delegates.
There were 35 for Ms Bridget Teafy, a former director of elections for the constituency, and Mr Damien Dwyer received to votes. A former mayor of Limerick, Mr Richard Sadlier withdrew. He said it would be in the best interests of the party to allow a candidate from the county to go forward. Mr Creighton is employed by Limerick VEC.
Party leader Ms Mary Harney said Limerick East was the only constituency which had consistently returned two Progressive Democrats deputies since the party was founded in 1986. She was confident Mr Creighton would hold Mr Clohessy's seat.
At the Fine Gael Limerick East selection convention yesterday, five of the seven candidates withdrew. The result was that the Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, and Ms May Jackman, a member of Limerick County Council, were unanimously nominated.
Meanwhile, the Fianna Fail spokesman on the environment, Mr Noel Dempsey, has predicted "a significant change in voting and transfer patterns" in the coming general election which could give the party an overall majority.
Mr Dempsey said innovative policies in its election manifesto would generate support for the party "right across the board". Fine Gael supporters had more in common with Fianna Fail than with Democratic Left, while Fianna Fail's caring and social policies would attract Labour Party voters.
Instead of voters having three options (a return of the present Government a Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrats alliance and a Fianna Fail/Labour Part