Simon Harris’s election fixer clears out Kerry field for Fine Gael ticket

The main challengers to Mr Harris's chosen runner have dropped out following a visit by the Taoiseach's election fixer, Olwyn Enright.

Finding a candidate in Kerry has proven the most difficult for Fine Gael following the retirement of Brendan Griffin. The Taoiseach wants All-Ireland winning footballer Billy O'Shea on the ticket.

But Mr Griffin's cousin, councillor Tommy Griffin, was favourite to win the nomination. Now he has pulled out, as has another councillor, Michael Foley.

Former general election candidate, councillor Mike Kennelly, remained the only challenger to Mr O'Shea on Friday morning, but he has also now dropped out of the race.

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Fine Gael postponed its convention in Kerry by a fortnight. The party's 'mar dhea' excuse was the need to book a bigger venue. The selection convention is taking place in Killarney on Sunday night.

In the meantime though, Ms Enright, Mr Harris's Director of Organisation, has been visiting Kerry. The former Laois-Offaly TD has responsibility for election and campaign planning together with overall strategy.

Ms Enright met with the four convention candidates in Listowel yesterday. Following that meeting, three of the councillors pulled out of the race.

Local party sources said it has been made clear to the councillors that they would not have the support of Fine Gael headquarters to pursue their candidacy.

Announcing his departure, Councillor Griffin said he was thankful to have been nominated by members of Fine Gael to contest the party's general election selection convention.

"However, after giving the matter deep consideration, I have concluded that now is not the right time for me and my family," he said in a statement last night.

"I wish to sincerely thank the Fine Gael members and the countless number of people from all over Kerry who contacted me in recent weeks pledging their support for me to run for Dáil Éireann - it is an honour to be considered suitable as a candidate by so many people," he added.

Councillor Foley and Councillor Kennelly also confirmed their departures from the race this morning.

Fine Gael has had enormous difficulties in finding a suitable candidate in Kerry.

When Mr Harris become Fine Gael leader in March, one of his first tasks was to try to persuade Brendan Griffin to run again. He offered the former junior minister another ministerial role, but Mr Griffin stuck to his position.

Kerry's other sitting TDs are running again: Education Minister Norma Foley for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin justice spokesman Pa Daly, and Independent TD brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae.

Fine Gael should have enough votes to hold on to the seat, but Mr O'Shea has never run for office before and there are doubts how he will take to political campaigning.

The Killorglin-based publican won an All-Ireland with Kerry in 1997.