The daughter of the late junior minister Shane McEntee has tonight been selected as Fine Gael’s candidate for his seat.

Helen McEntee, 26, vowed to work as hard as her father if she wins the Meath East by-election on March 27.

He was Minister of State for Forestry when he died by suicide in December just days after his 56th birthday.

Ms McEntee said she wants to continue her father’s good work by dealing with the issues that matter most to the people of Meath East.

“I could never hope to fill my father’s shoes. But I can promise to work just as hard as he did,” she said.

“He was an incredible man with a passionate determination to serve his community.”

Ms McEntee, who was chosen unopposed at a selection convention in Kells, said that for the last two-and-a-half years she had been working with her father to help address the challenges facing people in the constituency.

“I will continue this work with the same level of commitment and determination if elected to Dáil Éireann,” said the candidate, who plans to kickstart her campaign first thing in the morning.

Director of elections Frances Fitzgerald described Ms McEntee as an impressive and committed candidate.

“I have no doubt she will be an extremely dedicated TD if elected to Dáil Éireann,” the children’s minister said.

“She has first-hand experience on the real issues facing families and all the people in this community.”