Martin rejects talk of heave if party loses byelection

Micheál Martin has moved to downplay talk he faces a leadership crisis if Fianna Fáil loses a crunch upcoming byelection.

The former cabinet minister insisted no TD had told him face-to-face a byelection defeat in Carlow-Kilkenny in May — which would be the seventh consecutive such loss in this parliament — could lead to a heave.

Mr Martin, who said he was confident he would lead the party into the next election, also delivered a public rebuke to Fianna Fáil chief whip Seán Ó Fearghaíl after he said party members were “depressed and bloody demoralised”.