FF fury as Kelly ‘drug’ furore drags on

FRUSTRATION is growing within Fianna Fáil at the failure of one of its councillors, Liam Kelly, to explain drug allegations.

Photographs of Mr Kelly appearing to sniff a powder-like substance appeared a fortnight ago. The photographs were taken from a mobile phone camera.

Mr Kelly, a member of Dublin City Council, insisted the photographs were staged and he is not a drug user. The councillor said they were used in a blackmail attempt against him, which he reported to the gardaí.

On Friday, August 18, Fianna Fáil headquarters delivered a letter to Mr Kelly’s solicitor, demanding a written explanation of events.

But the following Monday, Mr Kelly insisted neither he nor his solicitor had received the letter, deeply irritating Fianna Fáil.

That frustration is now growing, with the party still waiting to receive Mr Kelly’s version of events. “It’s now nine days,” a Fianna Fáil spokesman said yesterday.

Mr Kelly has thus far refused to explain how the photographs were “staged”, citing the ongoing garda investigation as his reason.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has described the affair as “peculiar”. His brother Noel Ahern — minister with responsibility for drugs strategy — wants Mr Kelly to step down from the party until the matter is concluded.

Mr Kelly has so far refused to accept that advice. But the matter could be out of his hands next Monday, when Fianna Fáil members of Dublin City Council meet. They are expected to remove the party whip from him prior to the meeting of the council at City Hall.