Rebel reaps the rewards as rivals pay heavy price

BACKBENCH deputies rewarded Micheál Martin for leading the recent rebellion and punished his former cabinet colleagues, Brian Lenihan and Mary Hanafin, after their perceived lack of courage.

Only Éamon Ó Cuív, who had remained loyal to Taoiseach Brian Cowen during the initial Fianna Fáil mutiny, polled better than expected and came second to Mr Martin after the first count.

The new leader won 33 first preferences ahead of Mr Ó Cuív’s 15 and Finance Minister Brian Lenihan’s 14. Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin, who turned her back on the dissidents during the confidence motion in Mr Cowen, received the support of 10 TDs.