Fine Gael hasn’t ruled out adding another candidate to the local election ticket in the Fermoy electoral area following the sudden death last week of Philly Leahy but no final decision has been made as yet. 

The party’s regional organiser Ian Dinan told The Avondhu this week that, although time is getting short, they are mindful of being sensitive to the family of the late Philly Leahy in making a decision.

One person who hasn’t been approached to re-enter the fold is Castletownroche man Frank Roche who lost out at the party’s selection convention last November and has since declared as an Independent. He confirmed to The Avondhu on Wednesday that he’d had no contact from the party. He said he wasn’t interested in being added to the ticket at this stage. “I actually think I’m better placed as I am, I’m very happy with the reaction I’m getting,” he said.