Ó Cuív denounces FG de Valera jibe

Eamon Ó Cuív has blasted as “scurrilous” a Fine Gael senator’s claim that Michael Collins was “shot in the back” by his grandfather, Éamon de Valera.

Mr Ó Cuív said the allegation was “unfounded”, “cheap” and “wrong” and demanded an apology.

Tom Sheahan caused consternation in the Seanad on Thursday after making a caustic observation about Mr Ó Cuív’s split with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin over the European fiscal treaty.

The split, which saw Mr Ó Cuív lose his position as deputy leader, briefly threatened to undermine Mr Martin ahead of Fianna Fáil’s crucial ard fheis, which began last night and continues today.

“Isn’t it ironic the way history repeats itself, because Deputy Martin isn’t the first Corkman to be shot in the back by a de Valera — and it happened 90 years ago,” Mr Sheahan said.

The remark was a reference to the ambush and killing of Collins in Béal na mBláth during the Civil War.

Fianna Fáil senators immediately protested in the Seanad, and threatened to walk out. Mr Sheahan then withdrew the remark, saying: “It appears to have caused offence.”

Speaking yesterday, Mr Ó Cuív called on the Fine Gael senator to apologise for the comment.

“It’s scurrilous, cheap and wrong,” Mr Ó Cuív said. “The allegation was totally unfounded. There is no evidence, historical or otherwise, to back up the comment he has made.

“Everybody knows that there is no truth to the allegation made by Senator Sheahan.

“Any assassination theory goes out the window when one looks at the circumstances of the particular ambush in question.”

Mr Sheahan could not immediately be reached for comment yesterday.

Mr Ó Cuív was effectively sacked by Mr Martin as deputy leader and frontbench spokesperson on communications following their row over the fiscal treaty.

Under Mr Martin, Fianna Fáil is supporting a “Yes” vote in the referendum on the treaty.

But Mr Ó Cuív believed the party should not support the treaty unless Ireland’s bank debt was significantly written down.

He also wanted assurances that Ireland’s low corporate tax regime would not be threatened by the EU’s latest plans to resolve the eurozone debt crisis.

He remains a Fianna Fáil TD for now, but faces losing the party whip should he vote against the fiscal treaty in the Dáil.

Legislation to introduce the provisions of the treaty into Irish law would be introduced in the Dáil if there is a “Yes” vote in the referendum.

It is at that stage that Mr Ó Cuív would face losing the party whip were he to vote against the legislation.