Ahern acts to kick Flynn out after appeal fails

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night defied his reputation for indecision by moving swiftly to expel Beverly Flynn from Fianna Fáil following her failed Supreme Court libel appeal.

Within hours of the five Supreme Court judges dismissing her appeal against RTÉ, Mr Ahern decided on a course of action that will seal Ms Flynn’s fate within the party. His surprisingly robust response followed a short meeting of Fianna Fáil’s party officers.

Mr Ahern, who chaired the emergency meeting of senior figures within his party, will bring a motion to the parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday proposing that the whip be removed from Ms Flynn.