Former Taoiseach Mr Albert Reynolds last night threw his weight behind Longford councillor Mr Peter Kelly who has been selected to succeed him as the Fianna Fail candidate for Longford-Roscommon at the next general election.
Mr Kelly, a 56-year-old undertaker in Longford town, defeated his only opponent, St Mel's College vice-principal Mr Denis Glennon, by taking 80 of the 147 votes. Mr Reynolds, who announced his retirement from the Dail in 1998 and has since sold his Longford home, declared he would be "there all the way" to maintain the seat.
Mr Kelly was first elected to Longford County Council in 1985. He became an urban councillor in 1991. Late last year he was the beneficiary of a £1.5 million deal with the Department of Justice when it purchased his public house adjoining Longford Courthouse to facilitate its renovation.