Former Lord Mayor is added to Fianna Fáil ticket for City Council elections

FORMER Lord Mayor Tony Fitzgerald has been added to the Fianna Fáil local election ticket for Cork City North-West.

Mr Fitzgerald failed to make it through a selection convention on Monday, after an upset victory by Seán Coleman, who was selected alongside sitting councillor John Sheehan.

Members backed a motion after the results were announced calling for party headquarters to change strategies and add Mr Fitzgerald to the ticket too, which was confirmed last night.

Speaking after his nomination, Mr Fitzgerald said: "I am overwhelmed by the support and best wishes from so many people this week and I’m looking forward to meeting residents across the northside over the coming weeks."

Fianna Fáil is now running three candidates in the expanded six seat ward and may add a fourth in Blarney.

Due to the city boundary expansion, the ward now extends from the north inner city out as far as Blarney and Tower, taking in Farranree, Knocknaheeny, and most of Blackpool.