Mayo fianna fil delegates favour threecandidate strategy for general election

Members of the Mayo Fianna Fáil Dáil Ceanntair have balloted by 129 votes to 104 in favour of a three-candidate strategy in the 2016 general election in the county’s four-seat constituency.

The decision, which will be considered by the organisation’s constituencies committee ahead of the selection convention on March 22, is at variance to the preference expressed by party leader Deputy Micheál Martin when he visited the county a week ago.

The closeness of the result underlined a clear split within the ranks at grassroots level and divisions are destined to run deeper in the likely event of party HQ overruling the recommendation before the selection process formally begins in 12 days time.

Westport-based Councillor Brendan Mulroy alluded to such an eventuality when he issued a warning shot across the bows of the party’s Dublin-based strategists by insisting the will of the majority should not be rejected. He said: “The delegates have spoken and a democratic vote has shown a preference for three candidates. Nothing less will be accepted. If that proves not to be the case, then we will all have to take a long, hard look at ourselves.”

Earlier in last Friday night's meeting, Denis Gallagher, constituency organiser, and Gerry Flynn of the Claremorris FF Comhairle Ceanntair had spoken in favour of a two-candidate approach, Mr. Flynn revealing his mind had been changed on the issue following long and careful consideration. However, Michael Halligan, also of the Claremorris FF Comhairle Ceanntair, debated the case for three candidates before the 233 votes were cast.

*Full report on the meeting in tomorrow's print edition