Fine Gael admits there was some "irregular" voting at its selection convention for Sligo-Leitrim but denies breaking any party rules.

Former Junior Minister John Perry was not chosen to run in next year's election, but claims the outcome is "fundamentally flawed".

The aprty accepts there was some “irregular voting” but denies it affected his chances.

Mr Perry was one of four people to contest the Sligo-Leitrim selection convention, which was held in Drumshanbo two months ago.

However, he believes there were a number of irregularities that spoiled the final vote, and has decided to take legal action to have the result set aside and a new convention convened.

In opening his case before the High Court this afternoon, his barrister claimed votes were cast by people who were not entitled to and that votes were recorded for people who were not there on the night.

He claims a sister of one of the candidates was seen placing a number of votes in a ballot box, and that the box itself was left unattended on two occasions.

Perry claims he went straight into the voting area where he was met by Fine Gael General Secretary Tom Curran who told him to get out.

During a heated exchange, Perry said he used an expletive that prompted Mr Curran to dance “with rage on the floor”.

The court also heard that a man recorded as having voted was actually at his wife’s funeral.

He has also accused somebody on the Fine Gael National Executive of not wanting him to get on the ticket.

The hearing is due to take up to three days.