Hanafin and Fianna Fáil stand-off ‘farcical’

The extraordinary stand-off between ex-cabinet minister Mary Hanafin and Fianna Fáil high command has provoked deep unease among the party’s TDs.

The situation, which one TD branded “farcical”, is set to dominate a meeting today between leader Micheál Martin and his front bench.

With ex-education minister Ms Hanafin looking set to ignore pleas from the party’s top brass to withdraw as a candidate in council elections, the row is set to draw attention from Fianna Fáil’s campaign push.