O’Sullivan selection will cause ructions in FF

A DECISION by Fianna Fáil headquarters to select a former Independent to run alongside Deputy Denis O’Donovan in Cork South-West could lead to serious infighting within the party, it was warned last night.

Councillor Christy O’Sullivan, an independent councillor since 1999, was chosen on the ticket ahead of Cllr Alan Coleman, the Fianna Fáil leader in County Hall. Mr O’Sullivan rejoined Fianna Fáil yesterday.

The party has also ruled out a selection convention, which has further infuriated some FF members in the constituency.

“It would appear that headquarters have a total disregard for the organisation and the elected representatives in the area. It proves a fundamental difficulty for me,” an angry Cllr Donal O’Rourke said.

His party colleague, Cllr Donal Casey, said it appeared that internal polls had showed O’Sullivan was likely to win more votes than Coleman, although he admitted the move could prove divisive and that some cumanns would be angered by the decision.

Cllr O’Sullivan, who lives in Clonakilty, will take the place on the ticket vacated by former Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh, who has decided to retire.

Cllr O’Sullivan left Fianna Fáil eight years ago when it overlooked him to contest a Dáil seat in the constituency. He revealed that party headquarters informed him, on Sunday, of the decision.

Cllr Coleman, who was said by friends to be “gutted” by the decision, said last night that he would be making a statement later today.

“I get on well with Cllr Coleman and I know he’ll have the best interests of the party at heart. I know he’ll row in behind us and be instrumental in seeing that we win two seats in the constituency,” Cllr O’Sullivan said.

However, his running mate, Deputy Denis O’Donovan, expressed some reservations about his partner’s geographical location.

“In the western half of the constituency we will have six candidates (from different parties) running, whereas in the eastern end there is just one, that being FG’s Deputy Jim O’Keeffe who lives in Bandon,” Deputy O’Donovan said.

“Geographically if they picked Alan Coleman (who lives in Belgooly) it would have been easier to manage,” said Deputy O’Donovan.

The Bantry-based TD added that he also feared some cumanns would be angered by the decision not to hold a selection convention.

Deputy O’Donovan, who was elected to the Dáil on his fifth attempt in 2002, said that the delay caused in naming FF candidates didn’t help the party locally and it should have been sorted out up to 12 months ago.