Martin’s visit sparks row within FF ranks

CRACKS are showing in the Fianna Fáil veneer as the fight for the final seat in Cork South West intensifies.

At the weekend Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin visited Skibbereen to canvass alongside local candidate Christy O’Sullivan.

Mr Martin’s decision to enter the constituency, to align himself with one candidate and to canvass so far west has stirred up a hornets’ nest within the party.

On one side they see it as an attempt by HQ to justify the controversial selection of the former independent councillor at the expense of the local organisation.

Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Martin is a friend of his, was helping him out and he did not see it as his duty to inform every councillor in the area of his canvassing plan.

“I had no arrangement to only canvass in certain areas so as far as I am concerned I am going to concentrate on my own campaign and let others worry about theirs,” he said.

Adrigole’s Cllr Danny Crowley said the Fianna Fáil machine has neglected the peninsulas, handing votes to Fine Gael’s PJ Sheehan.

“The towns in the east of the constituency are already well served but we have not been working on the traditional farming and fishing communities,” he said.

Bantry deputy Denis O’Donovan said the decision to welcome Mr Martin to Skibbereen so late in the campaign was an insult.

“Why is this happening at this stage? I have never got help with a senior government minister coming to canvass on my behalf and I am very hurt,” he said.

In the middle of the campaign, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said all acrimony arising from Mr O’Sullivan’s selection had been resolved.

This is going on as the Labour Party is licking its lips at the prospect of pulling off a shock. Yesterday Pat Rabbitte made a unplanned visit to the area.

The campaign’s final week had been reserved for constituencies still on a knife edge and his arrival signals the confidence he has in Senator Michael McGrath.

However, almost everybody else is of the opinion the third seat is between the two big parties.

With a chunk of ex-Joe Walsh voters up for grabs, the bitterness will be cranked up until Thursday.