John Bryan had been expected to win the nomination at a Fine Gael convention which was held on Thursday night. However, former Kilkenny mayor and current sitting councillor David Fitzgerald was selected to run for the party.

Fine Gael hierarchy had been understood to be privately supporting Bryan’s campaign due his high profile from his time as the IFA president.

The by-election is being run to replace the seat vacated by former Environment Minister Phil Hogan following his move to Brussels to become the EU Agriculture Commissioner.

Other declared candidates for the by election include Bobby Aylward from Fianna Fáíl, Kathleen Funchion of Sinn Féin and Green party candidate Malcolm Noonan. The Labour party is expected to finalise its candidate in the coming days. The Carlow/Kilkenny by-election takes place on 22 May.