Toireasa Ferris likely to be named as Martin’s successor on Friday

SINN Féin’s Councillor Toireasa Ferris is expected to succeed her father Martin and clinch the party’s General Election nomination this Friday night.

Kerry Sinn Féin members will meet at Kerins O’Rahillys Clubhouse in Tralee this Friday, December 1 at 8.45pm, to select a candidate to stand in the next general election.

At the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis earlier this month sitting Sinn Féin TD for Kerry Martin Ferris announced his retirement from politics at the next General Election and told party members that he will not be allowing his name to go forward at the convention.

As The Kerryman went to press on Tuesday Evening Deputy Ferris’ daughter – experienced Kerry County Councillor Toireasa Ferris – was the only candidate who had publicly declared an interest in representing Sinn Féin in Kerry at the next General Election.

It is widely expected that her candidacy will be backed by local party members at Friday’s convention.

Chairman of Kerry Sinn Féin Tadhg Dennehy stated said the convention would be an historic one for the party in Kerry.

“This convention will be the first time in over 20 years where the name of Martin Ferris will not be put before the party membership,” said Mr Dennehy.

“We have requested nominations from the party structures throughout the county and the deadline is tonight, Tuesday at 8.30pm,” he said.

“On behalf of the entire membership in Kerry I would like to thank Martin Ferris for his utmost dedication to his job as a TD for North Kerry/West Limerick and for the entire county since he was first elected to the Dáil in 2002 and previous to that on Kerry County and Tralee Town Council,” Mr Dennehy said.

“We are very appreciative of his efforts as a hard working and selfless politician. He leaves big shoes to be filled and we look forward to helping a new candidate retaining a seat at the next election,” he said.

Sinn Féin’s Kerry selection convention was announced immediately after Martin Ferris announced his intention to retire and was not prompted by the political crisis in Leinster House that brought Ireland to the brink of Christmas election before Frances Fitzgerald’s last minute resignation on Tuesday morning.