AN open split has developed in the Fine Gael organisation in Cork South Central where three candidates are in the field including Ms Deirdre Clune, the daughter of the former minister fort foreign affairs, Mr Peter Barry.
On Cork's 96 FM radio station yesterday, the candidates in the constituency joined in a discussion about the outcome of the election in the five-seater, but when Mr Hugh Coveney - one of the main contenders for FG
suggested that Ms Clune would, take the 5th seat, Mr Sylvester Cotter complained he was biased.
Mr Coveney is a protege of Mr Barry's and it is widely known in the constituency that during his canvass he has been asking people to give their second preference vote to Ms Clune.
Mr Cotter said that the days of the political dynasty in Ireland were long gone and that Mr Coveney should realise this. If MS Clune was elected she would be the third generation of the Barry family to hold a Dail seat in Cork.
After the radio programme, members of the Cotter camp protested to FG headquarters in Dublin that one of their three candidates appeared singled out.
Mr Cotter said that Mr Coveney's prediction concerning Ms Clune was ridiculous, given the fact that he [Mr Cotter] had headed the poll by a clear majority in private soundings taken by the party before the election was called.
Fianna Fail's Mr Micheal Martin - the party's spokesman on education - who was also on the programme, said it was extraordinary to see FG promoting one candidate to the detriment of another.