Odds on Meath MEP to replace Hogan shorten

MEP Mairead McGuinness is gaining increased support in her bid to fill the EU Trade Commissioner role vacated by Phil Hogan in light of the recent golfgate scandal.

Odds on the former 'Ear To The Ground' journalist, who has served as the First Vice-President of the European Parliament since 2017, being nominated for the post shortened from 5/1 to 13/8 over the weekend.

Mr Hogan (60) from Kilkenny stepped down from his former EU role after coming under pressure for attending the controversial golf dinner in Galway, which appeared to breach the government’s own COVID-19 regulations.

The shortening of the odds in Ms McGuinness' favour places her second favourite for the job, with former Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald also firmly in the picture at 9/2.

Deputy Leader of Fine Gael and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, remains the frontrunner, according to the bookies, at 4/9.