War of words: FF duo continue verbal battle

IT IS arguably the bitterest row between two party colleagues in many years, and the quarrel between Fianna Fáil’s Michael Ahern and Ned O’Keeffe shows no sign of easing.

Earlier this week, Mr O’Keeffe used a rather unusual term — “wishy washy man” — to describe Mr Ahern.

In response, Mr Ahern said the last election results spoke for themselves — he topped the poll in the Cork East constituency both men share.

The two men have had a series of verbal spats in recent years. The latest twist began on Tuesday, when Mr O’Keeffe was re-admitted to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.

He resigned late last year after calling for Health Minister Mary Harney’s resignation — admitting at the time that he had jumped before the inevitable push.

Speaking to this paper on Tuesday, Ned O’Keeffe welcomed the fact he had been re-admitted to the parliamentary party — but had harsh words for Mr Ahern. The reason for his anger appears to be the fact that he was refused the right to speak at Fianna Fáil cumann meetings in Fermoy and Mallow prior to his re-admission to the parliamentary party.

“Michael Ahern is involved in a conspiracy,” Mr O’Keeffe claimed subsequently.

“He is trying to topple me and he doesn’t want me back in the parliamentary party because I’m too good for him — wishy-washy man.”

But Mr Ahern, who is a junior minister at the Department of Enterprise, shot back yesterday.

“Everybody knows the calibre of Deputy O’Keeffe’s comments and, furthermore, the election results both north and south of the constituency speak for themselves,” he said.

Mr O’Keeffe’s strong-hold is in Mitchelstown in the north of the constituency, where he lives.

Mr Ahern’s stronghold is in Carrigtwohill in the south of the constituency.

Despite this, Mr Ahern polled very strongly in the north of the constituency in the election, which helped him to top the poll.