The race to find a successor to Mr Albert Reynolds in the Longford-Roscommon constituency has taken a new twist with the confirmation from Sunday World news editor Mr John Donlon that he was approached to seek the Fianna Fail nomination at the next general election.
Mr Donlon, a former news editor and political correspondent with the Star, said he was "shocked, honoured and flattered" by the approach and was "giving it serious thought".
The move follows a suggestion by one of Mr Reynolds's children, Philip, that he might "throw his hat in the ring" and contest his father's seat. Writing, ironically, in the Sunday World last week, Mr Philip Reynolds said he had indicated to party members "that I have an interest. It would depend on the timing and the position of my business at the time."
His comments appeared to contradict those of his father, the former Taoiseach, who last April indicated that none of his family would contest the seat when he retired. "They are too busy getting on with their own lives," he said.
Other contenders for the Longford nomination are Mr Peter Kelly, a councillor, and Mr Denis Glennon, a local school vice-principal. RTE's midlands correspondent, Mr Ciaran Mulloly, from Lanesboro, Co Longford, has also been linked with the post, but he is refusing to comment on whether an approach has been made.
Mr Donlon said he would decide soon on whether to contest the seat. The feedback so far, he said, had been "very heartening. People are saying I have no baggage and what is needed is a fresh face, and there is no sleaze where I am concerned."
Mr Donlon, who worked as a journalist in Longford for 18 years and is a columnist with the Longford Leader, was approached for the nomination by the Fianna Fail cumann in his home town of Moydow.
