Candidate withdraws from fianna fail convention in westmeath

One of the three candidates due to contest the Fianna Fail Convention in Westmeath which will take place tonight has withdrawn from the race.
The Westmeath Independent has learned that Fianna Fail activist Emer Gavin has decided not to contest the Convention, leaving sitting TD Robert Troy and Athlone-based Councillor Aengus O’Rourke going head to head for one place.
Fianna Fail headquarters has decided to run one candidate in Westmeath and one in Longford.
This was despite concerns among party members in Athlone who felt the town should have its own candidate in addition to sitting TD Robert Troy in Mullingar.
The Convention, at the Mullingar Park Hotel at 7pm, will be chaired by Offaly TD Barry Cowen.