Cope predicts a May by-election

North West MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher is predicting a May by-election to determine his successor in Donegal South West.
Fine Gael and Labour have already announced plans to hold selection conventions to determine their candidates while Sinn Fein has made numerous calls on government to set a date.
Meanwhile Pat the Cope has rejected suggestion that the process of Fianna Fail selecting their candidate could prove devisive for the party in Donegal given the various camps that exist.
He says the root and branch members will determine the candidate and that is the way it should be