Fine Gael Ard Fheis: Gun cartridge on stage overshadows Taoiseach's opening speech

Fine Gael’s ard fheis was overshadowed Friday night after officials had to evacuate a conference hall where Taoiseach Enda Kenny was due to give his opening speech after a shotgun cartridge was found on the stage.

The incident occurred just after 2pm and led to a busy room of early arriving delegates and backroom officials being ordered to leave the facility for just under an hour by security personnel and gardaí.

Mr Kenny was not in the conference hall at the City West Hotel in west Dublin at the time, instead arriving just after 5pm before his opening speech in the two-day party event, which was delayed 30 minutes until 8pm.