FOLLOWING BRIAN COWEN’S confirmation yesterday evening that he would not be contesting the general election, his brother Barry Cowen has said he will run if selected as the candidate for Laois/Offaly tonight.
The Taoiseach told Midlands 103 yesterday that he decided to retire after speaking with his family. He said that after holding the highest office in Ireland, he felt it was time to step down.
He did not mention his brother in the interview and said everyone in Fianna Fáil wanted to see him run again.
On RTÉ’s Morning Ireland today, some Laois/Offaly constituents said they were saddened to see Brian Cowen resign, but they would vote for his brother if he ran. Barry Cowen is a councillor on Offaly County Council and also works as an auctioneer and valuer, according to his website.
[caption id="attachment_76579" align="alignnone" width="113" caption="Cllr Barry Cowen"]
Speculation has also turned to the position of junior minister John Moloney, also a Fianna Fáil TD for Laois/Offaly. He had already indicated he would not run if Cowen resigned and is now expected to step down.
Seán Fleming TD told Morning Ireland that he expects a number of people to go to the party selection meeting this evening with the intention of running in the election.
He said Councillor John Foley objected to the party’s plan to run just one candidate in the area, and he expects Foley to seek the position. Foley is a councillor on Offaly County Council.
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