FF split grows in Kerry South

A LEADING Fianna Fáil Kerry county councillor and near neighbour of Kerry South TD, John O’Donoghue, has quit the party to campaign for the former Fianna Fáil councillor Tom Fleming.

Mr Fleming, a former mayor of Kerry and twice the running mate of Mr O’Donoghue, left the party over a week ago to run as an independent candidate.

The move by Michael Cahill, a councillor for the Killorglin and Ring of Kerry area for 21 years, and a former senate candidate, is seen as a major boost to Fleming whose base is at the extreme eastern end of the constituency. It is seen as a major blow to O’Donoghue, who is based in Cahersiveen at the extreme western end of the constituency.