John Perry: Fine Gael's election director told me he would 'see me in court'

Fine Gael TD John Perry has said that the party's director of elections told him he would "look forward to seeing him in court".

Fine Gael yesterday agreed to add the outgoing TD to its election ticket in Sligo-Leitrim, after withdrawing its defence in a High Court case.

Director of elections Brian Hayes said that he is happy the situation is now resolved and that Deputy Perry was never actually turned down by the party - but rather the issue was being looked at.

However, speaking this morning, John Perry was surprised by the statement.

"Well, that's news to me now to be honest," he said.

"I met Brian Hayes just in the last week and he said he looked forward to meeting me in the court, so that would be a major change of heart from his point of view."