Five competing to replace Simon Coveney as FG’s candidate in Cork constituency

Five people have been nominated to go forward for possible selection to contest the next general election to replace Simon Coveney on the Fine Gael ticket in the Cork South Central constituency.

The deadline for nominations was yesterday evening and the candidates chosen will go forward to the party’s local selection convention, which will be held in the International Hotel at the Airport Business Park on Tuesday, July 23.

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

The five candidates include a long-time senator, three councillors, and a businessman who unsuccessfully ran for the European Parliament at last month’s elections.

First elected to Cork City Council in 2004, senator Jerry Buttimer, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, is one of the five people hoping to be a Fine Gael candidate in Cork South Central.

Former lord mayor of Cork, south-east ward councillor Des Cahill, told 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 the constituency.

Rochestown native and Carrigaline resident Úna McCarthy — who was co-opted onto the county council last October, replacing John Paul Murtagh — is also running.

John Mullins, who ran unsuccessfully for Fine Gael in Ireland South in last month’s European elections, is also hoping to be chosen by the selection convention.

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 next year, but many suspect it will occur in late October or early November.