There are reports of growing opposition to the move of Noel Grealish to Fianna Fáil, however the move still seems to be a “done deal”.
With the demise of the PDs Deputy Grealish is now all set to be ready to join Fianna Fáil and become its third sitting TD in Galway West, however there are murmurs of discontent among party members regarding the move.
As one party source told Galway First last night, “It looks like a done deal, regardless of what anyone thinks or wants,” when asked about Deputy Grealish’s proposed move to the party.
However our source added that there is a sense of disquiet within the party surrounding the move. “From a political point of view the party doesn’t owe Noel Grealish or the PDs anything. A lot of the hardcore party members aren’t happy with this. They saw the PDs walk out on Fianna Fáil and now they think they can just stroll back in again.”
And other prominent Fianna Fáil sources in Galway have also said that the party’s local members should be consulted before any deal is done allowing Grealish into the party.
The reports of anger on the ground began last week when reports suggested that the rank and file Fianna Fáil were irate at suggestions that a deal was already done to allow Grealish, O’Cuiv, and Fahey to run on a three candidate ticket in the next general election.
In 2007 Fianna Fáil HQ insisted that just three candidates be selected to run in Galway West, a move that infuriated local party members. And if such a deal was to go through Cllr Michael Crowe, who narrowly missed out on a seat in the Dáil in the last election, would be left out in the cold, while the party’s on the ground members would feel left out of the decision making process.
Meanwhile City Councillor Mary Leahy last night rejected claims that she doesn’t want Declan McDonnell to join the party. Cllr Declan McDonnell, along with Deputy Noel Grealish, and Cllr Jim Cuddy, are expected to join Fianna Fáil.
Since the demise of the PDs last week reports, as well as other politicians, have suggested that Cllr Leahy did not want Cllr McDonnell to join the party.
But speaking to Galway First, Cllr Leahy said, “I’ve never stated that I didn’t want Declan McDonnell. I’d welcome anyone who wants to join the party on the basis that they’re hard working, diligent, honest and bring integrity to the party”.
