Fianna Fáil architect of its own destruction

I FIND it hard to believe, given all the trouble that Fianna Fáil have landed this country in, that they would deny the people democracy.

It is unbelievable that a group of people are so insular in their thinking and so small-minded that they would not, at the very least, have given their parliamentary members the freedom to, at least, nominate independent candidates for the Presidency, at least those, with a credible chance of victory.

Micheál Martin has shown a paucity of leadership in that he has denied the people the opportunity of voting for independents. He has missed an opportunity in not allowing David Norris onto the ticket.

He could have allowed Norris to run, whilst not having to campaign, instead of chasing celebrity TV candidates.

In fact, Norris would probably not have wanted Fianna Fáil to actively campaign for him. Labhras Ó Murchu was simply a last minute, conservative, stalking horse to tie Fianna Fáil up in knots so as to deny Norris the opportunity and the people democracy.

Sinn Féin has shown leadership, quietly working behind the scenes and then launching Martin McGuinness who is at this stage a likely victor.

It is ironic that TV3 have just finished their series The Rise and Fall of Fianna Fáil.

Given that the leader of Fianna Fáil has chosen not to lead, support or campaign, we will not be waiting long for their demise, if we have not already witnessed it.

Nature abhors a vacuum and Martin has created that vacuum.

Sinn Féin now has critical mass in the Republic and will “hoover” up the traditional, die-hard, Fianna Fáil nationalist vote becoming the dominant nationalist party following the Presidential campaign.

Unfortunately for Fianna Fáil, it has been the author of its own destruction by having “Failed” the people.

Brian Twomey

Wandesford Quay

Cork