Fianna Fáil has selected Dublin city councillor and former general election candidate Mary Fitzpatrick as the party's candidate in the capital for the European elections in May.

She beat off competition from Tiernan Brady, a director of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN), as well as former senator Geraldine Feeney and took the nomination after the first count at a selection convention today.

Ms Fitzpatrick was seen as the favoured candidate of party leader Micheal Martin, and twice ran in general elections for the party in Dublin Central.

She was elected on the first count at the convention with 362 votes, out of a total of around 700 votes cast, and said it was an “honour” to be selected.

"Our arrogant and complacent Government has a policy of just waiting for things to turn up," Ms Fitzpatrick added. "I believe we need a more active voice in Europe and that is the role I want to play.

“We have a strong message and a real determination to win this seat. I will do everything I can over the next four months to make this happen.”

Mr Martin said Ms Fitzpatrick gave Fianna Fáil "a really strong chance of winning a seat in Dublin and electing someone who will be a first rate MEP".

“Time and again Mary has shown that she can work across different communities and will never step back when it comes to her principles.”