Another defeat would threaten Martin

Micheál Martin has been put on notice that if Fianna Fáil loses the looming Kilkenny by-election, his leadership will be under severe threat.

Senior figures say the contest to replace Fine Gael’s Phil Hogan, slated for January, will be the “crunch” test of whether Mr Martin can lead the party into the next general election.

Failure to win the Roscommon-South Leitrim by-election has boosted simmering discontent within the party against Mr Martin, but rivals have decided to keep their powder dry until the New Year.