THE CONTEST for the Fianna Fáil nomination in the Dublin Central byelection could see a repeat battle between the “Drumcondra mafia” and a candidate whose Dáil chances it crushed in the past.
Cllr Maurice Ahern, brother of former taoiseach and sitting TD Bertie Ahern, and Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick, the party’s third candidate in the 2007 general election, have both declared their interest in seeking the nomination.
“If you are a member of the city council, the next step is the Dáil,” said Maurice Ahern.
Ms Fitzpatrick said that her ambition, for some time, has been “to represent the people of Dublin Central in the Dáil”.
Maurice Ahern will have the backing of his brother’s formidable local organisation, known as the “Drumcondra mafia”. Its strength is well known to Ms Fitzpatrick, who failed to get the second seat in the constituency in the general election, despite having a higher first preference vote than eventual winner Cyprian Brady. Ms Fitzpatrick polled 1,725 first preferences, while Mr Brady polled just 939. However, Mr Brady was the then taoiseach’s chosen candidate, and a pre-poll blitz of the constituency ensured that Ahern supporters gave the bulk of their transfers to him.
Party headquarters will have a significant input into the selection of a byelection candidate. The local Ahern organisation is adamant that the byelection should not be held on June 5th, with the European and local elections and the Dublin South byelection. It believes a later poll would maximise the party’s chances.
However, given that it will be very difficult for Fianna Fáil to win in Dublin Central, the party hierarchy may want to have the electoral contests on the same day to help disguise the anticipated slump in fortunes.
The organisation which supported the late Independent TD Tony Gregory – whose death gives rise to the byelection – has chosen Cllr Maureen O’Sullivan as its candidate.
