Rebel cumann seeks answers from Ahern

Fianna Fáil's "disbanded" cumann in Mayo has called on the party president, Bertie Ahern, to explain how the decision was taken…

Fianna Fáil's "disbanded" cumann in Mayo has called on the party president, Bertie Ahern, to explain how the decision was taken to dissolve the grouping.

The appeal was made by Mr John Hamrock, public relations officer with the Micheál Ó Moráin cumann in Castlebar, before a special meeting in the Welcome Inn last night.

The direction from party headquarters was taken because of alleged continued support by the cumann for Independent TD Beverley Flynn, who was expelled from Fianna Fáil last year.

Officials of the cumann were due to report back to members in relation to possible challenges to the ruling by Fianna Fáil party headquarters last month.

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However, it was expected that a final decision on legal action, including a possible temporary injunction, might have to be deferred due to the absence of the cumann's chair, Mr John Browne.

Mr Browne, a close friend of the Flynn family, experienced a family bereavement in Dublin at the weekend.

A majority of the 167 cumann members oppose disbandment, but up to 20 per cent of members, including two elected local authority representatives and several possible general election candidates, have distanced themselves from the grouping in recent weeks.

Mr Browne has said that arrangements are being made to raise funds for a debt of some €5,000 incurred since last year's local and European elections.

However, Mr Hamrock expressed concern about the debt yesterday, which should have been shared with the Castlebar town cumann - a rival grouping established in the wake of Ms Flynn's initial nomination for a Dáil seat.

Members of the cumann were still liable for any money owed, he said.

A report by Fianna Fáil headquarters on party reorganisation in Mayo and formation of a new cumann in Castlebar is due to be delivered to the party's Dáil ceantair in the constituency by the end of this week.

Joe Gunning, chairman of the Dáil ceantair, said yesterday he had no comment to make on the current situation.

Mr Gunning opposed Ms Flynn's expulsion from Fianna Fáil last year.

She was expelled after the Supreme Court rejected her appeal against a finding that she was not libelled in an RTÉ report on the selling of offshore investment products.

Lorna Siggins

Lorna Siggins

Lorna Siggins is the former western and marine correspondent of The Irish Times