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Keaveney criticised by grassroots
27.01.11
by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
RELATIONS between Senator Cecilia Keaveney and
grassroots Fianna Fáil members appear to have broken
down beyond repair with the former Moville TD
accusing the Inishowen constituency organisation of
bullying after it released a statement criticising
her yesterday.
In a hard-hitting statement released to the
Inishowen Independent ahead of tonight’s local
selection convention in Buncrana, the Fianna Fail
Comhairle Ceantair rejected claims made by Senator
Keaveney on Highland Radio that she was not properly
informed of recent meetings to make arrangements for
the general election.
Speaking from the Council of Europe’s winter session
in Strasbourg yesterday afternoon Senator Keaveney
responded angrily. |
“There is bullying
going on here and it is not acceptable. Meetings are
being held at short notice without proper
notification. Usually these would be scheduled
around the duties of the national public
representative but that hasn’t happened.
“I have still not been contacted in relation to the
general election and I cannot understand why there
has been such a lack of communication. |
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Senator Cecilia Keaveney. |
I was informed about
last Sunday’s meeting on Saturday
night at 8.20pm when I was already on my way to the
Council of Europe. It was too short notice. I was
elected to do a job [as a senator] and I will
continue to do that job,” she added.
A spokesperson for the Comhairle Ceantair said it
did not wish to comment on the senator's new remarks
about bullying, and simply referred to the earlier
statement.
The falling-out comes just 24 hours before Inishowen
Fianna Fáil is to hold a selection convention,
chaired by well-known Letterkenny businessman Terry
McEniff, a member of the Fianna Fáil national
executive.
Delegates at tonight’s meeting will be asked to
select between Senator Keaveney and Cllr Charlie
McConalogue.
Cllr Charlie McConalogue said: “I welcome the
setting of a Convention date for Thursday night and
will be there to put my name before convention.
“I also hope that there will be a strong attendance
on the night to send a clear message to party
headquarters that Inishowen will be settling for
nothing less than its own candidate in this
election.”
When asked directly whether she intended to contest
the general election, Senator Keaveney was
non-committal.
County councillor Rena Donaghey has withdrawn from
the race.. Stressing the importance of an Inishowen
Fianna Fáil candidate and pledging support to
whoever is selected at tonight’s convention, Cllr
Donaghey said: “It is a great honour to be selected
but in the interest of solidarity for the party I
will withdraw my nomination.
“I apologise for stepping down but we must go
forward in unity to ensure that we can elect an
Inishowen candidate to contest the Donegal North
East constituency in a two Fianna Fáil candidate
contest.”
A TD for 11 years until narrowly losing her seat in
2007, Senator Keaveney was blasted by the Inishowen
Comhairle Ceantair for opting not to attend the last
four meetings while sending no apologies for her
absence.
Members also expressed their disappointment that the
only communication received from the high-profile
Inishowen politician has been on the airwaves of
Highland Radio, where she confirmed that she will
not attend tonight’s general election convention at
the Inishowen Gateway Hotel.
The local Fianna Fail committee, which is vehemently
seeking an Inishowen running mate for sitting TD
Niall Blaney, said it has steadfastly supported
Senator Keaveney since her first election to the
Dáil 15 years ago.
Relations have soured in recent months however and
tonight’s Buncrana vote is expected to
overwhelmingly favour Keaveney’s rival Cllr
McConalogue, a rising young prospect within the
party.
First elected to the Dáil in a 1996 by-election,
Keaveney comfortably retained her seat in the 1997
and 2002 general elections before narrowly losing
out to Niall Blaney in 2007. Later that year she
made a swift and spectacular return to politics,
winning a Seanad seat.
To read the Inishowen Fianna Fáil Comhairle Ceantair
statement in full,
click here . |
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