War of Independents as Mattie McGrath and Michael Collins trade blows on Facebook

The Tipperary South and Cork South-West TDs resort to 'handbags at dawn' after a Cork Aontú county councillor's Facebook post about this week's abortion vote

In a previous spat, Independent TD Mattie McGrath (right) said Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins was the second traitor of that name from West Cork. See link below. Picture: Conor Ó Mearáin/Collins

A Facebook war of words has broken out between Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins and Independent TD Mattie McGrath about the establishment of the party.

In what one political source branded “handbags at dawn”, Cork South West TD Michael Collins, Tipperary South TD Mattie McGrath, and Aontú Cork county councillor Peter O’Donoghue have taken to social media to debate how Independent Ireland was founded and who was involved.