A FINE Gael TD and his Dáil running mates were last night embroiled in a row which could see them on opposite sides in a libel battle.

INVESTING heavily in the European elections paid off for Fine Gael, but money was no guarantee of success in the campaign.

MAYO provides a hostile environment nowadays. Both for Fianna Fáil leaders who are moving to drum the Flynn dynasty from the party, and for Fine Gael leaders even though they may come from the county.

FIANNA FÁIL got almost two-thirds of the political donations to TDs and Senators last year, raking in almost €300,000 in the run-up to the election.

THE political career of former Clare TD Madeleine Taylor Quinn was in tatters last night when she lost her seat in the Seanad.