An opinion poll suggests that the Wexford hurling manager Tony Dempsey is on course to win a third seat for Fianna Fáil in the constituency at the General Election. Despite the return of Avril Doyle to the Fine Gael ticket, the poll suggests the party will lose its second seat, although Senator Doyle will be elected.
The IMS poll for RTÉ's 'Prime Time' and the Irish Independent was taken on Monday and Tuesday, less than a week after Avril Doyle's addition to the Fine Gael ticket in Wexford. The Senator and MEP was persuaded to return in a bid to shore up Fine Gael support in a constituency where it has traditionally held two seats.
But while the poll says she will be elected, the poll says it will be at the expense of Fine Gael's sitting TD Michael D'Arcy.
The big winners are Fianna Fáil, who are on course to win three seats, with the party's John Browne topping the poll on 22%. He will be elected on the first count, as will Labour's Brendan Howlin on 18% and Junior Minister Hugh Byrne of Fianna Fáil on 17%. Avril Doyle comes next on 11%, enough to see her elected on the seventh count according to the poll.
The fifth and final seat will be between sitting Fine Gael TD Michael D'Arcy who has 9% in the poll, and Wexford hurling manager Tony Dempsey on 6%. With Tony Dempsey attracting more transfers, the poll says he will pip Michael D'Arcy to the fifth and final seat.
