Ireland

Former Bertie Ahern spokeswoman set to stand for FF in Dublin constituency

Olivia Buckley expected to fill slot left by decision of Justin McAleese to not run

Olivia Buckley is expected to to run for Fianna Fáil in the Dublin Rathdown constituency Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/ The Irish Times
Fiach Kelly Deputy Political Editor
Tue Dec 04 2018 - 02:00

Fianna Fáil is lining up a former spokeswoman for Bertie Ahern to stand for the party in Dublin Rathdown.

Olivia Buckley is expected to fill a void left by the decision of Justin McAleese not to run for a seat in the south Dublin Dáil constituency.

Mr McAleese, a son of former president Mary McAleese, had been expected to stand in the three seat constituency, which counts ministers Shane Ross and Josepha Madigan, as well as Catherine Martin of the Green Party, as its sitting TDs.

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern: ‘‘The people who will be drinking the champagne will be dissidents because they will see this as great for them; it will give them a target again.” Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

He had been appointed as local area representative but he has recently told the party he will be unable to stand in the general election due to work commitments.

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Ms Buckley was Fianna Fáil's press director under Mr Ahern's leadership, and is currently director of communications for the Irish Tax Institute. She is initially expected to contest a Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown council seat in the Dundrum ward at next spring's local elections, with a view to standing for the Dáil at the next general election.