Rank And File Won’t Accept PD’s Return Yet

Date Published: 18-Sep-2008

MOVES are in place in Galway West to prevent a so called ‘done deal’ from happening with the imminent arrival of Deputy Noel Grealish to the Fianna Fail ranks next month.

It is understood that Fianna Fail grassroots are restless over the suggestion being made that there are plans that Grealish will form a three candidate ticket in the next General Election alongside sitting TDs Frank Fahey and Eamon O Cuiv.

But the rank and file members of Fianna Fail in Galway West are understood to be fuming over the fact that they could be dictated to by party headquarters for a second occasion.

Prior to the last General Election, the delegates insisted that four Fianna Fail candidates contest but they were shot down HQ who dictated that just three candidates be selected.

It caused uproar at the time and now members of local cumman are known to have met in recent weeks as word of Grealish’s defection gathered momentum.

Senior figures within Fianna Fail have told The Connacht Tribune that the issue of a three candidate ticket has been discussed on several occasions during the negotiation process to lure Noel Grealish back to the party’s ranks.

There was a body of opinion after last year’s General Election that if Fianna Fail had ran four candidates — with the inclusion of…