Row erupts between candidate Niall Blaney and Tánaiste at Fianna Fáil European election launch

Fianna Fáil leader and Tánaiste Micheál Martin with European election candidates Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and Niall Blaney at the party's campaign launch on Friday. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Mr Martin denied it was a mistake to run three candidates, saying: “it’s a very large constituency and with very distinct geographies ... urban, rural, western, northwestern, commuter belt – so it is a very challenging constituency. Candidates Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Lisa Chambers, Barry Andrews and Billy Kelleher with Fianna Fáil director of elections Darragh O’Brien at the launch. Photograph: Alan Betson

“We need a strong representative because I live in the weakest part of Ireland,” he said, pointing to EU reports suggesting there is an infrastructure deficit in the region.

Micheal-Martin Niall-Blaney European-Election

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