First item on Limerick FF agenda is the split

A major split has emerged among Fianna Fáil members of the new 40-seat Limerick City and County Council.

The party has the biggest grouping after the weekend election with 13 members.

Last night, four of the Fianna Fáil members indicated that they intend to break away from the party.

The four breakaway councillors, are Eddie Ryan, Kieran O’Hanlon, Kevin Sheahan and Joe Crowley.

They have already had talks with two Independents, Brigid Teefy and John Gilligan.

Eddie Ryan, from Galbally is the leader of the breakaway group.

He was the Fianna Fáil leader on Limerick County Council which has been joined with the former Limerick City Council.

The 40-seat council will hold its first meeting next Friday at the University of Limerick Concert Hall.

Cllr Eddie Ryan said yesterday they had decided to break from Fianna Fáil over the manner in which their first meeting was handled on Thursday.

Cllr Ryan said he felt he should have been appointed leader of the group.

“However, Michael Collins was put forward and he defeated me eight votes to five. We also felt angry that some of the group met with senior officials in the new City and County Council, before our meeting. It had been agreed that we would all meet them after our meeting,” Cllr Ryan said.

We also felt that a member from the city centre area, Kieran O’Hanlon, should be deputy leader, but James Collins won this on a vote as well. We felt one side were trying to take over the entire Fianna Fáil group, and take over decisions without having them discussed.

Emmet O’Brien, a member of the party’s national executive, broke from the party when he failed to get a nomination at a controversial convention.

He topped the poll in the Adare-Rathkeale electoral area.

A source said: “There now seems to be two distinct camps which have taken different sides in Fianna Fáil — the Collins camp and others, including Emmet O’Brien and the four who have now broken away.

Cllr O’Brien when contacted last night, said he had not spoken with the four who have broken from Fianna Fáil

James Collins, a first cousin of Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins, said they would consider an alliance with Sinn Féin to gain control of the council.

Sinn Féin have six seats on the new council, Fine Gael 12, Labour 3, AAA 3 and Ind 3.

The new Independent Fianna Fáil group last night had ‘exploratory talks’ with Fine Gael.