Fianna Fáil showdown on delegate ‘parachute’ plan

FIANNA FÁIL was heading for another bruising convention showdown last night as the party’s election high command was warned not to “parachute” a high-profile candidate into Clare over the heads of delegates.

Senator Timmy Dooley expressed widespread disquiet in the constituency that activists will only get to choose two candidates, not three, on Monday night.

The move is being seen in Clare as leaving the way open for a so-called ‘personality’ - a Fianna Fáil standard-bearer to be dropped into the battle later.