The battle to secure the Fine Gael nomination in the Tipperary constituency is hotting up.
Four more candidates have put their name forward ahead of the Declaration of Interest Convention which is taking place at the Ragg next week.
Former TD and Minister of State Tom Hayes and County Councillor Michael Murphy have already thrown their hat in the ring as Fine Gael try to regain a seat in Tipperary.
Both Tom Hayes and Noel Coonan lost their seats last time out leaving Fine Gael with no Dail representative in Tipp.
Four more candidates have entered the arena in the last 24 hours.
Long standing County Councillor Michael Fitzgerald has announced his intention to seek the party’s nomination.
The Golden based farmer contested two general elections for Fine Gael in 1982 – his party colleague Brendan Griffin won the seat on each occasion.
Speaking to Fran Curry on Tipp Today Mick Fitzgerald said he feels it’s time to put his name forward once again on the national stage.
At least seven people are likely to put their names forward for the Declaration of Interest Convention on Friday week – former TD Noel Coonan is expected to be among them.
Two others have confirmed their candidacy today – Mary Newman from Lagganstown, New Inn is a sister of Dublin TD Kate O’Connell – she works in the animal health pharmaceutical industry.
Cashel based Shelagh Marshall, works as a chartered accountant.
Garret Ahearne from Grange near Clonmel has also added his name to the list today.
The son of former Councillor Liam Ahearne and the late South Tipp TD Theresa Ahearne, he has worked as an aide to Simon Coveney in a number of Ministerial departments.
He feels this experience puts him in an ideal situation.
The Convention proper is due to be held in around 6 month’s time.
