New councillors Alan Harney and Gareth Scahill have emerged as strong contenders to run for Fine Gael in the general election in Roscommon-Galway.
The party has a place to fill after the death of highly respected councillor John Naughten.
Just over a month ago, on September 20th, Fine Gael held its selection convention for Roscommon-Galway.
The party decided to select two candidates - one from the south of the constituency and one from the north.
As Arigna's Dympna Daly-Finn was the only one in the running from the north, she was automatically selected.
Then Councillor Naughten beat Ballinasloe senator Aisling Dolan by 10 votes for the second position.
But Councillor Naughten died at the age of 50 two weeks later.
Fine Gael will finalise its ticket shortly, to fill the void left following John's death, ahead of the general election, likely to be held on November 29th.
It's understood the party will ask the Naughtens if a member of the family would like to run in John's place.
If not, Ballinasloe councillor Alan Harney and Castlerea councillor Gareth Scahill will be carefully considered, even though they were only elected to their respective councils for the first time in June.
Sources say it is far from certain Senator Dolan will get the nod.
