Dunboyne area candidate Damien O'Reilly.

Changing of the guard at FF convention

There has been a changing of the guard within Fianna Fail following last night's party selection convention in the Ratoath electoral area, which took place in Dunboyne Castle Hotel last night.

Sitting Fianna Fail councillors in the area, Nick Killian and Noel Leonard, have been overlooked for selection by local Fianna Fail party members who have instead chosen newcomers Deirdre Smith and Damien O'Reilly to run.

Smith, an active member of the community in Ratoath, works in Leinster House for Fianna Fail. She plays camogie for Ratoath GAA and is committee member of the PULSE youth cafe.

Damien O'Reilly works in the financial sector and is well known from his involvement in Dunboyne GAA.

Six candidates ran for two places on the ticket, with PJ White and Fergus O'Riordan also losing out.

It is possible a third candidate may be added to the ticket by party headquarters, possibly to cover the Dunshaughlin end of the electoral area.