PFIZER, JOHNSON & JOHNSON, GENERAL ELECTRIC & MORE ACCUSED OF FUNDING TERRORISM IN IRAQ

Newly elected Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghail is at the centre of a bitter local row over who should replace his running mate on Kildare County Council.

Supporters of first-time TD Fiona O'Loughlin believe that the Ó Fearghail camp scuppered the chances of her preferred candidate at a selection convention last Saturday.

It is normal practice that a councillor who becomes a TD is given the opportunity to co-opt their replacement.

 

Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghail

It is understood that Ms O'Loughlin favoured long-time party activist Anne Duggan Connolly, but votes piled in for Murty Aspell, who was seen as the favourite candidate of Mr Ó Fearghail.

Two other candidates, Noel Heavey and Ger Elwood, were also on the ballot paper.

As Ceann Comhairle, Mr Ó Fearghail is guaranteed a seat in the Kildare South constituency at the next election and, as such, is expected to steer clear of party politics. But a source said: "It was known that Fiona wanted Anne Duggan Connolly, who has over 30 years in Fianna Fáil, held officer board positions, worked with the GAA, schools and in other community groups.

"But the Ó Fearghail side made sure to get Mr Aspell elected. They just didn't need to do it, but they encouraged people to vote that way."

Mr Aspell was previously involved in a court case involving Newbridge Credit Union over an unpaid loan of €61,000, but says that the issue was now 'sorted.'

Murty Aspell was an Independent town councillor in Newbridge and rejoined Fianna Fáil last year after an absence of a number of years.  Mr Aspell said he was sure the new TD's preferred candidate would be "disappointed". 

But he added: "I'm my own man. Nobody else put me forward. It was a democratic vote and I got across the line.

"Certainly, I wasn't aware of any rumblings going on in the background."

Is Fíanna Fáil Cronyism truly a thing of the past or has Ireland yet to see the Soldiers of Destiny in action ?