John Hillery and Timmy Dooley will represent Fianna Fáil in the next General Election.
The Spanish Point psychiatrist defeated Doonbeg businesswoman Rita McInerney in a vote at last night’s selection convention in Ennis, an event held against the backdrop of rancour with regards to the party’s electoral strategy.
277 valid votes were cast by Fiana Fáil members from West and North Clare at last night’s convention – 154 for John Hillery, and 123 for Rita McInerney.
It means the son of the former President will seek the support of the Clare public once more in the next General Election, as he did in an unsuccessful Dáil bid in 2011.
Deputy Dooley was elected unopposed from East Clare, following the withdrawal of Councillor Cathal Crowe.
Addressing the large crowd at Hotel Woodstock, the South-East Clare representative said he did so under protest, and he criticised the party’s election strategy, saying two candidates is not the correct way to win two seats.
However, he insisted that his future lies within the party, and that he had no gripe with any of the prospective candidates.
