A Roscommon Senator says Valerie Duffy is an 'excellent candidate' to fill the late John Naughten's seat.
Gareth Scahill was speaking after the Fine Gael selection convention last night at the Athlone Springs Hotel.
The Moore woman defeated Taughmaconnell man Ger Grehan following a vote of 50 party delegates.
The seat in the Athlone Local Electoral Area had been vacant since John Naughten's death in October of last year.
Senator Scahill said Ms Duffy was the type of candidate the party needed in the area: