Taoiseach rejects claim that party leadership blocked Marc MacSharry's Fianna Fáil return

Micheál Martin told his own party that he has found the Marc MacSharry episode “distressing”. File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told a private meeting of his own party that it is “outrageous and reprehensible” to suggest that he or the party leadership orchestrated the delay to Marc MacSharry rejoining Fianna Fáil.

The Irish Examiner can reveal that Mr Martin told his own party that he has found the Marc MacSharry episode “distressing”. Mr MacSharry’s admittance to the party dominated the start of last week's private meeting with lengthy and sharp exchanges between Mr Martin and his party.