At least five candidates to seek nomination in hopes of contesting election in Coveney's constituency 

At least five candidates will this evening seek nominations to go forward for selection to contest the next general election as Simon Coveney’s replacement as Fine Gael’s general election candidate in the Cork South Central constituency.

The party will nominate its candidate or candidates to go forward for selection at the party’s local selection convention.

It had been expected that six potential candidates would seek nomination to be selected to go forward to the convention, which will take place on July 23, but one of those tipped to run has decided not to go forward.

Those selected at this evening’s meeting will form a panel from which the selection convention will choose one or more candidates to contest the next general election for Fine Gael in Cork South Central.

First elected as a TD for Cork South Central in 1998, Mr Coveney announced on Wednesday his intention not to seek re-election at the next general election, which must take place by March of next year at the latest, and which many suspect will occur in late October or early November.

Deadline  

The deadline for nominations to go before the local selection convention is close of business today, Friday, and those expected to seek permission to go forward for consideration include a long-time senator, three sitting councillors and a businessman who unsuccessfully ran for the European Parliament at last month’s European elections.

Taoiseach Simon Harris predicted on Wednesday that candidates would be “lining up” to replace Mr Coveney, and the local party faithful has proven Mr Harris correct.

However, one of those expected to seek the nomination has decided now is not to be their time.

Carrigaline county councillor Jack White, who works as Mr Coveney’s parliamentary assistant, told The Echohe felt it was more important at this time for him to honour the mandate given to him at last month’s local elections.

“I’m committed to my local area and to working hard for my local area, and that’s informed my decision not to contest the convention at this time,” Mr White said.

“We have some very, very strong candidates, and whoever is selected, I wish them the very best and I pledge my support.” 

Candidates 

Carrigaline county councillor Úna McCarthy told The Echo on Friday morning that she believed she had already secured the nominations to go forward to the selection convention.

Senator Jerry Buttimer, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, is among those seeking the party’s nod this evening.

First elected to Cork City Council in 2004, Mr Buttimer was an unsuccessful candidate at the 2007 general election in Cork South Central, but was subsequently elected to the Seanad. Elected to the Dáil in 2011, he lost his seat at the 2016 general election.

Re-elected to Seanad Éireann in 2016, he was unsuccessful in a Dáil run for Cork South Central at the 2020 general election, and was re-elected to the Seanad in 2020.

Former lord mayor of Cork, south-east ward councillor Des Cahill, has declared his intention to seek a nomination, telling The Echo he was “probably the one candidate who is offering the most”.

Shane O’Callaghan, who topped the poll in the Cork City South Central ward in last month’s local elections, said he believed he was the candidate best placed to maintain his party’s seat in Cork South Central.

“I increased the Fine Gael vote in the south-central ward by 50%, whereas in every other part of the constituency our vote either remained static or went down,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

John Mullins, who ran unsuccessfully for Fine Gael in Ireland South in last month’s European elections, is also hoping to be selected to go forward to the selection convention on July 23.

“I’ll put myself before convention, and we’ll see how the convention goes,” he said.