Jerry Buttimer to run in next election with Fine Gael

Senator Jerry Buttimer is to be added to the Fine Gael ticket in Cork South Central to contest the seat vacated by Simon Coveney.

Cork city councillor in the South Central ward Shane O’Callaghan and Cork county councillor for Carrigaline Una McCarthy had already been selected to run in the region.

Mr Buttimer, the cathaoirleach of the Seanad, was one of five candidates to contest a selection convention for the constituency at the end of July alongside O’Callaghan, McCarthy, Cork city councillor and former lord mayor Des Cahill, and John Mullins, who ran unsuccessfully in the European elections.

Senator Buttimer said: “I am honoured to have been asked by An Taoiseach Simon Harris to contest the next General Election for Fine Gael in Cork South-Central.

“An Taoiseach Simon Harris is campaigning with a new dedication and a new energy. Throughout my career, I have always brought that same dedication and energy, not only to campaigning for Fine Gael at election time, but also to representing the people of Cork and the constituency of Cork South-Central in particular."

Mr O’Callaghan topped the poll with over 120 votes, Mr Buttimer came in second with over 60 votes, while John Mullins and Des Cahill received more than 30 votes.

Una McCarthy had between 10 and 20 votes, though minister of state Jennifer Carroll MacNeill — who chaired the convention — had read a party directive decreeing that two candidates be chosen and that one had to be from the Carrigaline area, meaning Ms McCarthy was to be automatically selected.

She told The Echo on the news of a third candidate: “It doesn’t change anything for me, I allowed my name to be put forward because I believe I can win and be a new generation TD."

Mr O’Callaghan said: “I received the overwhelming support of the the local party membership when I won the selection convention in July. Since then, the momentum of my campaign has been building by the day.

“It will be essential for Cork that Fine Gael maintains a seat in Dáil Éireann in this constituency. It will be crucial for the region that the great work that Simon Coveney has done over the last 26 years continues.” Mr O’Callaghan, who topped the poll in the recent local elections and increased the Fine Gael vote in his local ward by 50%, said: “Nothing changes for me and my campaign team. 

"I wish my party colleague the very best.”