'Kangaroo court' bounces Bev out
As expected, the Mayo deputy last night got her fair trial. And as also expected, she got her execution, expelled from the party by 81 votes to five.
The marathon meeting was an emotional and tense affair, lasting nearly three hours and with 50 speakers, including Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen.
It also heard a "tour de force" performance from the embattled Bev, who spoke with great conviction for 40 minutes.
"It was a class speech by the class act," said one admiring delegate afterwards.
In the event, it turned out to be a sister act, with Bev's support coming from five women, all of whom considered the punishment too harsh. Chief among them was Senator Mary White, who went from campaigning for the Columbia Three, to defending the Castlebar Wan.
The sparks inside were nothing compared to the argy-bargy outside. With a garda helicopter hovering overhead it recalled last weekend's schemozzle on the Navan Road. Her supporters objected vociferously to being denied entry.
"Can we send up a priest," shouted one, referring to the last rites that were about to begin.
Ms Flynn resplendent in a suit of white was obliged to leave after her speech and walked commandingly out to speak to reporters.
"Hello, Deputy Flynn. Congratulations. I'm proud of you," Pee Flynn said as he glided past.
In her absence, Bertie Ahern said the party was at a crossroads and, after the Supreme Court decision, it was left with no option.
Outside, Bev carped about the treatment meted out to a "daughter of Fianna Fáil". In classic Pee Flynn mode, her parting words were in the third person: "I can absolutely assure you of one thing, Beverly Flynn is not going away."
She praised the bravery of the five who supported her at the meeting. Vanquished but unbowed, she departed with her supporters for a midnight welcome rally in Castlebar.
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