Row erupts after FF’s Ryan favoured over Wade

THE first major row of the next general election campaign has erupted in Limerick East following the decision by FF headquarters to add Cllr Nóirín Ryan to the party ticket — in preference to former TD, Cllr Eddie Wade.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea and Peter Power were selected to contest the election by convention, three months ago, after Cllr Ryan and Cllr Wade both withdrew.

The party decided to add a third candidate after interviews with Cllrs Ryan and Wade.

Cllr Wade, who lost his Dáil seat in 2002, and who headed the poll in the last local elections last night said: “I’m demanding a full explanation for this decision and I want to meet with Brian Cowen, who is chairman of the [general election] strategy committee, to explain why I have been dropped.”

Mr Wade said his supporters are outraged by his treatment at the hands of party headquarters.

“My supporters are totally fuming; they are savage over this. These are loyal Fianna Fáil people who have been with the party 40 and 50 years and never asked for anything,” he said.

Informed FF sources last night said Cllr Ryan’s decision to vote for an FG candidate against a PD/FF candidate, in a vote for the chair of Limerick County Council, last June, may have worked in her favour.

With Cllr Ryan’s vote, Cllr David Naughton, FG tied with Cllr Brigid Teefy, PD, who had FF backing as part of a pact with the PDs.

Cllr Ryan’s defection backfired, however, as Cllr Teefy’s name was drawn from hat.

Fianna Fáil are due next year to get the chair of the council, with the backing of the three PD councillors.

Some FF councillors, however, felt Cllr Ryan needed to be ‘kept sweet’ to ensure that she does not break ranks again.

“This consideration led to her addition to the general election lineout at Eddie Wade’s expense,” said a well-placed FF source.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea and his running mate, Peter Power, TD, will welcome the jettisoning of Cllr Wade in preference to Cllr Ryan.

A party officer said: “Peter Power, might not have been under threat from Wade, but the decision to add Cllr Ryan instead of Cllr Wade, makes Mr Power’s position a lot more secure.”