Fianna Fáil HQ ignoring local organisation, says election hopeful

A POTENTIAL Fianna Fáil Dáil candidate in Cork South West yesterday threw down the gauntlet to the party’s HQ, accusing it of procrastination and secrecy.

Alan Coleman, a county councillor from Belgooly, declared his intention to seek a nomination for the party two years ago.

But Cork South West remains one of only three constituencies where Fianna Fáil has yet to hold a convention.

The party spokesperson said yesterday that no decision has yet been taken in relation to when the convention would be held, or indeed, if a convention will be held. She said the decision rested with the party’s constituency committee, chaired by Brian Cowen.

But amid strong rumours that Fianna Fáil is trying to woo the independent councillor from Clonakilty, Christy O’Sullivan, Mr Coleman said he and his supporters were “fed up” with the long delays.

“If they want to keep me off the ticket, the only way they can keep me off is by not holding a convention,” he told the Irish Examiner.

“They are ignoring the local organisation and we are not going to stand for that.

“If they completely sidestep the local organisation, there will be serious consequences.”

Mr O’Sullivan confirmed yesterday that he will stand in next year’s election but would not be drawn on if he would stand as an independent, or would rejoin Fianna Fáil, which he left in 1999 arising from a dispute over selection for local elections.

The Irish Examiner has conflicting accounts of internal poll results carried out by all the parties in this three-seat constituency. One source suggested that Mr O’Sullivan has polled more strongly than Mr Coleman and it is known efforts were made to persuade Joe Walsh not to retire.

Fianna Fáil hold two seats but Fine Gael have traditionally been the stronger. Sitting TDs Denis O’Donovan (FF) and Jim O’Keeffe (FG) are both considered likely to retain their seats.

The battle for the last seat will involve PJ Sheehan (FG) from Goleen, the Skibbereen-based senator Michael McCarthy (Lab) and the second FF candidate.