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Former Fianna Fáil TD Chris Andrews at the RDS in Dublin in 2007. Julien Behal/PA Archive

This former Fianna Fáil TD wants to join Sinn Féin

A source in Sinn Féin said they were “disappointed” that Chris Andrews is being considered as a potential candidate for the Dublin South-East constituency.

FORMER FIANNA FÁIL TD Chris Andrews has decided to put himself forward as a potential candidate in the local elections – for the Sinn Féin party.

Sources have told TheJournal.ie that the former TD for Dublin South-East had spoken to them about the move. Andrews was elected to the Dáil in 2007 but lost his seat in the 2011 general election.

His grandfather, Todd Andrews, was one of the founders of Fianna Fáil and he was the fourth member of his family to sit in the Dáil for the party.

Sinn Féin are keeping their cards close to their chest with a spokesperson refusing to confirm that Andrews was being considered as a potential candidate.

“At the moment we’re being inundated with applications for membership,” they said. “Any time anyone from another party wants to join, it has to go before the Ard Chomhairle. He’s not a member now and he’s not a candidate, that’s purely speculation at the moment.”

It is expected that his application will be considered by the Ard Chomhairle – the party’s national executive – this weekend.

Once source within Sinn Féin told TheJournal.ie that they were “disappointed and confused” by it.

They questioned whether Andrews was being considered just to “wobble Fianna Fáil” or because he was the best person for the job. The party currently has no councillor representing it in the constituency and sources said it was unlikely that another candidate would have much success in the area.

Andrews did not return calls requesting a comment.

Read: Former Greens leader Trevor Sargent rules out running for elected office again>

Read: Here are the new boundaries for next year’s local elections>

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    Mute Michael Burke
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 8:21 PM

    Rest in peace

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    Mute Sean Fox
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 8:28 PM

    I used to go to the Harcourt Hotel on a Sunday night to see Paddy Cole perform and sometimes Ronan Collins would be there performing with him as well , those were the good auld days , RIP Paddy fantastic musician and singer as well

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    Mute Donal Sweeney
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    Jan 23rd 2025, 12:47 AM

    @Sean Fox: great musician but singing was NOT his forte. He once quoted a friend who claimed “he couldn’t sing and had the records to prove it”!!!

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    Mute John Merriman
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 8:29 PM

    RIP Paddy. A fantastic musician and performer that I had the pleasure to see and meet with on occasion. A true gentleman on top who always had time for a chat after a show. Sad to hear of your passing. Rest in eternal peace

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    Mute Paul Maguire
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 8:26 PM

    Rest in peace Paddy

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    Mute sean whelan
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 8:32 PM

    Loved his radio show on a Sunday morning, he’ll be missed, RIP Paddy.

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    Mute Bookworms Dublin
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 8:45 PM

    My Wife & I had our first date at the Harcourt Hotel where Paddy & his Jazzmen played.Never forgotten. R.I.P.

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    Mute Jacqui Curtisowens
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 8:59 PM

    R.I.P Mr. Cole…loved your sunshine radio show every Sunday morning….hope they keep it going…your a legend….condolences to all his family…

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    Mute C ONeill
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 8:21 PM

    RIP Paddy
    O’Neill Tractors

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    Mute Dermot Clancy
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 9:29 PM

    RIP Paddy and thank you.

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 9:33 PM

    RIP Paddy.

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    Mute Mike Lawlor
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 9:35 PM

    Mister Happiness has departed! RIP!

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    Mute Blue Moon
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 10:07 PM

    Rest in peace. A truly wonderful musician and showman

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    Mute Marie Agnew
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 11:43 PM

    A wonderful character, RIP Paddy

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    Mute Eugene O Connor
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    Jan 22nd 2025, 11:55 PM

    A real Star. Fab musician and his radio show was always entertaining. Rest in peace Paddy.

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    Mute Terry o donnell
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    Jan 23rd 2025, 4:58 AM

    My first Harmonica came with an instruction booklet by Paddy Cole on how to play the thing with basic old timey tunes.

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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Jan 23rd 2025, 7:25 AM

    @Terry o donnell: are you sure that wasn’t Don Baker?

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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    Jan 23rd 2025, 8:55 AM

    @Terry o donnell: that was Don Baker. Good book!

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