James Reilly clashes with rebel Fine Gael TDs

Fine Gael members turned on each other last night as deputy leader James Reilly accused rebel TDs of using him as a “punchbag” and “proxy” in order to get to Enda Kenny.

Backbenchers pressing for the Taoiseach to step down as party leader clashed at the parliamentary party meeting with Senator Reilly, who was forced to defend his reappointment.

Despite a pact agreed by phone with Mr Reilly the previous night that there would be no “confrontation”, the deputy leader was vexed when TDs began complaining.