AN AD FROM Averil Power on the frontpage of this week’s Northside People has sparked fresh speculation that the senator could be plotting a Dáil bid as an independent.

Source: Northside People

Power quit Fianna Fáil last month after a launching a stinging attack on the party in the wake of what she felt was some of her colleagues reluctance to campaign for the same-sex marriage referendum.

She had been tipped to be one of its Dáil hopefuls in the competitive Dublin Bay North constituency but was unclear about her plans when she resigned. Power said she had no intention of joining another party and added:

I don’t know what the future holds, I know I have other options. I’ve a business degree from Trinity I have a legal diploma from the King’s Inns.

However, this ad on the frontpage of the Northside People has sparked speculation she will opt to run as an independent in the new five-seat constituency.

Source: Northside People

TheJournal.ie understands that the ad had been booked in the paper some months ago and Power is believed to have changed the logos and branding after her shock departure from Fianna Fáil.

Dublin Bay North is a newly-created constituency which incorporates the entirety of the old Dublin North–Central constituency and most of Dublin North–East.

It already has two independent TDs in Finian McGrath and Tommy Broughan. There are four other sitting TDs running in the constituency including ministers Áodhán Ó Ríordáin (Labour) and Richard Bruton (Fine Gael) as well as Labour’s Seán Kenny and Renua’s Terence Flanagan.

Power was not available for comment this week having taken some time off following a busy few days of fallout from her acrimonious departure.

She was heavily criticised by former colleagues with party leader Micheál Marti accusing of her of trying to “suspend the internal democratic process of the party” in the selection of Fianna Fáil candidates in Dublin Bay North.

Power denied this.

Read: After Averil’s shock departure, how do other parties shape up in terms of women?

‘It did not happen’: Barry Cowen insists Averil Power wasn’t laughed at