Councillor claims Fianna Fail leader reneged on Seanad vow

Micheál Martin faced trouble closer to home as a Fianna Fáil member of Cork City Council said his claim of support for Averil Power’s 2011 Seanad campaign disputed his previous version of events.

The Dublin senator’s resignation prompted Cllr Kenneth O’Flynn to rake up an old row in which he had claimed the party leader reneged on a promise to actively canvass for him in the same Seanad race. That deal was made in return for the agreement of his father, ex-TD Noel O’Flynn, not to seek a FF nomination on the Cork 2011 general election ballot paper, where Billy Kelleher ran successfully as the sole party candidate.

Cllr O’Flynn told RedFM’s Neil Prendeville show that Mr Martin had previously denied canvassing for Averil Power, even though he was aware of party headquarters efforts to have her elected ahead of him.