Rebel TDs plot against Cowen in aftermath of humiliating election defeat

THE first serious cracks in Brian Cowen’s authority over his party appeared last night as Fianna Fáil backbenchers predicted he would be gone within months.

The dramatic turn of events starkly contradicted the Taoiseach’s defiant insistence he faced no internal criticism despite leading the party to its most humiliating election defeat ever.

In a further blow to Mr Cowen’s grip on power, key international money market experts urged him to hold a snap general election to restore “moral authority” to the Government after the country’s credit rating was again downgraded – causing the euro to slump against the dollar.