Fine Gael is considering moving the writ for the Tipperary South by-election within two weeks. The party is expected to select Senator Tom Hayes as its candidate at a convention in Cahir tonight.
At the close of nominations yesterday, a second candidate Mr Liam Ahearn, husband of Theresa Ahearn, whose death caused the by-election, had unexpectedly entered the race. Mr Ahearn was consulting with close associates last night, and it is thought that he may withdraw in favour of Mr Hayes. His move is seen as an indication that a member of the family may seek a nomination at the next general election.
The party leader, Mr Michael Noonan, is expected to refer to the by-election in his televised address to the party's ardfheis next weekend, providing Mr Hayes with a national launch of his campaign.
Meanwhwile, Mr Noonan will tour Tipperary South with Mr Hayes today, in his first official visit to a constituency since taking over as leader. The by-election, which is likely to be held before Easter, will be Mr Noonan's first electoral test, and a successful outcome is crucial if he is to maintain the momentum generated by his victory throughout the party's ranks.
The by-election will be the second in the constituency in the lifetime of the current Dail. The first, in June last year was caused by the death of the Labour TD, Michael Ferris, and was won in spectacular style by the Clonmel-based county councillor, Mr Seamus Healy, of the Workers and Unemployed Action Group. Mr Hayes's strong performance in polling 8,184 first preferences was credited at the time with saving Mr John Bruton's leadership.
That by-election saw the collapse of the Fianna Fail vote, with Mr Barry O'Brien, a Clogheen-based county councillor, finishing third in first preference votes.
The party will launch a more vigorous campaign this time with a new candidate, Mr Michael Maguire, a county councillor who polled over 4,000 first preference votes in the last general election. In that election, he was the running mate of Mr Noel Davern, Minister of State for Agriculture.
Following Mr Healy's victory last time, Fine Gael is taking very seriously the threat posed by his group's candidate, Ms Phil Prendergast. She won a county council seat in last year's local elections, and also serves with Mr Healy and two other colleagues as an alderman on Clonmel Corporation.
The Labour candidate is Mr Denis Landy, the party's sole councillor on Tipperary South Riding County Council.
