Ahern: Gregory rivalry not personal

RIVALRY between the late Tony Gregory and his Dublin Central constituency opponent Bertie Ahern was “never personal” the former Taoiseach said yesterday, adding it was a result of their “eagerness to deliver for local residents”.

In Dáil statements to remember the late TD yesterday, Mr Ahern said their rivalry was a source of banter and fun over the years: “Throughout the 1980s, he was the guy without the tie and I was the fella in the anorak,” he said.

In his final interview before his death from cancer in early January, the independent TD said Mr Ahern never forgave him for the high profile he achieved from the famous Gregory Deal agreed with Charles Haughey to support the Government in 1982.