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'Plot ' over Enniskillen by-election quickly vanishes

By Steven McCaffery

The SDLP and Alliance parties are fighting to secure air-time in the Enniskillen by-election - with attention focused on the battle between the DUP and UUP.

But as is often the case in such contests Sinn Fein does not need to fight too hard for headlines - the main unionist parties are doing that for them.

Democratic Unionist and Ulster Unionist press releases are peppered with references to the republican bogeymen - as each party warns unionist voters that a split vote will let Sinn Fein seize the seat.

There is a real chance that the Sinn Fein's candidate 46-year old Debbie Coyle could snatch a win.

But the contest won't be as easy as the one she faced to become the name on the Sinn Fein ticket.

There was some surprise among reporters covering the Sinn Fein selection convention when a party press release was issued giving the result - before the contest took place.

But rumours that a cunning plot had been exposed quickly vanished.

A party spokesman said it had been safe enough to assume Ms Coyle was going to prevail.

"She was the only candidate so it was pretty much a foregone conclusion," he said.

Belfast Telegraph

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