Fleming throws down gauntlet to O’Donoghue in Kerry

A MAJOR split has developed in Fianna Fáil in Kerry South with a county councillor presenting a challenge to former ceann comhairle and sitting TD John O’Donoghue.

Long-serving Cllr Tom Fleming is to stand as an Independent candidate in the general election. His candidacy will create serious problems for FF and could hamper O’Donoghue’s election prospects.

The ex-minister was nominated as the sole FF candidate in the constituency at a convention on Sunday last. Mr Fleming had also been proposed but had withdrawn his name shortly before the selection convention began.

A publican from Scartaglin, Cllr Fleming was Mr O’Donoghue’s running mate in the 2002 and 2007 elections and came close to success on both occasions.

Mr Fleming, whose family has been steeped in FF for generations and who has been a Kerry county councillor for 20 years, strongly criticised economic and social welfare provisions in the December budget.

“I have decided to run in the election as an independent candidate because I see it as my duty to make myself available to the people of south Kerry and give another choice to the electorate,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael yesterday said it had a “perfect geographical balance” in Kerry South. Sitting TD Tom Sheahan and Cllr Brendan Griffin were unanimously chosen as candidates at a convention attended by 500 people in the Killarney Heights Hotel.

Two others, Cllr PJ Donovan from Caherciveen and Kenmare- based Cllr Patrick Connor Scarteen withdrew their names.

There had been speculation that FG might run only one candidate, Mr Sheahan, in the constituency, but party headquarters directed the convention to nominate two.

Mr Sheahan, who lives in Rathmore on the eastern side of the constituency, was first elected to the Dáil, in 2007, 18 years after FG lost its seat in Kerry South, while Mr Griffin is based on the western side, at Keel, a gateway to the Dingle Peninsula. Mr Griffin, 28 and a former teacher, was first elected to Kerry County Council two years ago topping the poll.

Meanwhile, Sligo North- Leitrim TD Dr Jimmy Devins, who resigned from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party in August 2009, also announced he would not contest the looming election.