Turf wars threaten FF elections success

FIANNA FÁIL'S European elections strategy is in turmoil as candidate infighting over constituency divides in Munster and Dublin threatens the party's chances of success.

Countrywide poll-topping MEP Brian Crowley yesterday defiantly rejected a controversial carve-up of Munster, while Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is intervening to sort out a contentious territory split in Dublin.

The fractious turf wars add to the headaches caused by the grassroots revolt in the North-West, where Fianna Fáil headquarters chosen candidate, Junior Minister Frank Fahey, was rejected in favour of sitting MEP Seán Ó Neachtáin.

Mr Ahern faces the embarrassing prospect of his party losing seats in the European elections during Ireland's EU presidency, unless a tight vote management plan can be worked out for June 11.

Resolutely refusing to abide by the divide imposed upon him by the party hierarchy in the South constituency, Mr Crowley described democracy and elections as a sacred procedure.

"No one will force me to denigrate that process. The people of Munster will decide my future, if I have one or not, when they go to vote next June not some election strategy committee," he said at the weekend.

Under the carve-up authorised by FF HQ, Mr Crowley is restricted to Cork, South Tipperary and Waterford city, while his MEP colleague Gerry Collins is left alone in Limerick, Kerry, North Tipperary and Waterford county.

Significantly, Mr Crowley issued his reaction to the split after canvassing in Roscrea in North Tipperary outside his allocated patch.

Referring to the campaign as a fundamental matter of principle, Mr Crowley says no one can press him to do something he doesn't believe in.

"The constituency commission are an independent body and the only body that can decide the shape of the constituencies. All candidates, from all parties and none, must present themselves to that whole constituency. We don't have a choice in the matter," he said.

Fine Gael's official ratification of frontbench spokesman Simon Coveney yesterday as its sole candidate in the South intensifies the competition in the constituency, particularly in Cork.

After the Fianna Fáil national executive failed to agree upon a divide in Dublin, Mr Ahern and party director of elections John O'Donoghue are to intervene with candidates Eoin Ryan TD and Lord Mayor of Dublin Royston Brady to sort out a strategy.

FF sources said yesterday that the national executive was evenly split on the proposed divide when it met last week.

But a FF spokesperson said last night that the Taoiseach's involvement is simply down to his position as chairman of the national executive.