Cope will join Mc Conalogue on the FF ticket in Donegal

As expected, Fianna Fail veteran Pat the Cope Gallagher is returning to the hustings, after topping the poll at the party’s selection convention for the new Donegal constituency. He and sitting TD Charlie Mc Conalogue will contest the election, with the possibility of a third candidate being added by party headquarters later.
Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill, who withdrew from the contest on Friday, told delegates he believes a third candidate is needed. However, a majority of delegates appear to take a different view.
When the votes were counted, Pat the Cope Gallagher had received 332 votes, Deputy Charlie McConologue 261 and Cllr James Pat McDaid 86 and Claudia Kennedy, 29.