Ahern attack criticised by ‘appalled’ FFparty leader

CONTROVERSIAL claims by Bertie Ahern that some Fianna Fáil members were a “useless bunch of good for nothings” were rounded on by the party’s new leadership.

Party leader Micheál Martin last night said the comments made by the former Fianna Fáil taoiseach in a TV documentary on the party were “completely unacceptable”.

Mr Ahern was also urged by his former partner Celia Larkin to quit as taoiseach after a term-and-a-half and put the country first, the TV3 three-part series is set to reveal.

The Rise and Fall of Fianna Fáil, presented by journalist Ursula Halligan, tracks the party’s collapse as well as key leaders throughout its history.

During one segment, Mr Ahern describes a grassroots network in his inner Dublin city constituency and criticises their role in promoting the party.

“I remember the cumann that represented Sean McDermott Street in the inner city, when I moved in there at the end of the Seventies. There were about 12 names and none were from North of the Liffey. They were afraid to come into Sean McDermott Street, to drive through it, never mind canvass it.

“So, quite frankly, they were a bunch of useless good for nothings,” Mr Ahern says in the first part, which is to be broadcast next Monday.

Mr Ahern is also critical of structures in the party in his early years as a politician, adding: “A lot of people who did have tea parties in the 70s and 80s and met to discuss the state of the world including Ireland, but as far as building up the Fianna Fáil vote in these areas, they were useless.”

His comments were last night strongly criticised by party leader Micheál Martin who, while he had not seen the footage, said he was shocked at the claims.

“That would be a completely unacceptable comment to make about members of the party … I would be appalled if that description was made of any party member.”

The series also hears from former ministers and examines the legacy left by former Fianna Fáil taoiseach Charles Haughey.

His son Sean, a former TD and minister, admits his late father had more than an attraction to wealth.

“The need to have personal wealth was the personal flaw,” he said.

Former minister Willie O’Dea also admits that Mr Haughey left a legacy of a “man on the take”.

Asked about inquiries into Mr Ahern’s finances and allegations levelled against the former Fianna Fáil leader, his former partner Ms Larkin responds: “If I thought Bertie was corrupt, I wouldn’t have stayed with him as long as I did.

“I don’t think the Bertie that I know would have ever set himself up to be a puppet politician or beholding to anybody.

“I don’t believe he would ever have done that.”