Fine Gael presents its ticket for the Limerick County parliamentary elections

PALLASGREEN Councillor Noreen Stokes has been selected by Fine Gael to appear on its ballot alongside Minister for Further and Higher Education Patrick O'Donovan.

With speculation about elections in the autumn increasing, parties in Limerick and across Ireland have begun finalising their lineups.

And that is exactly what the loyal Fine Gael supporters in rural Limerick did at the weekend at a selection congress in the Rathkeale House Hotel chaired by Cork MP Colm Burke.

Mr O'Donovan, who first stood and was successful in 2011, hopes to return to the Dáil for a fourth consecutive term.

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This is the first time Cllr Stokes has stood for election to the Oireachtas – just months after she was elected to Limerick City and County Council at her second attempt in Jubne.

Fine Gael has now nominated 65 candidates for the general election in 40 constituencies, including Limerick, where Minister of State Kieran O'Donnell and Senator Maria Byrne will stand.

Mr O'Donovan said: “I am delighted that my neighbours and friends have chosen me tonight to stand again for Fine Gael in rural Limerick. The last few years have not been easy, politically or personally, and I am grateful for the support and confidence that today's election result has shown me.

Congratulations to Minister @podonovan and Councillor Noreen Stokes on her selection as a candidate for the County Limerick General Election. pic.twitter.com/TMIaIvewIF

— Fine Gael (@FineGael) 22 September 2024

“It is a great honour to deliver for County Limerick, south, east or west. Whether it is building better roads, driving investment in the regeneration of towns and villages or building better police stations, I am serious about making people feel safe and at home in their communities,” he added.

Mr O'Donovan paid tribute to his wife Eileen and children for “supporting me in the stormy weather”.

Cllr Stokes said: “I am honoured that the members of Fine Gael have believed in me enough to nominate me for this selection convention. I would like to thank Michael Gleeson for putting me forward and Bernie Carroll for supporting me. I look forward to working with Minister Patrick O' Donovan to win two seats for Fine Gael in Limerick County.”

Parliamentary elections must take place no later than March next year.