Fine Gael members gathered in Navan last night expressed their annoyance at the second challenge to Mr John Bruton's leadership in two months. Some 200 people turned up to show support for Mr Bruton. "It's a disgrace. The whole thing was sorted out two months ago. It's done and dusted," said Ms Mags Mulroe. Mr Michael Noonan and Mr Jim Mitchell were not showing loyalty to the party by disregarding last November's vote, she added.
Mr John Duffy, constituency chairman in Meath, said he received "oceans of phone calls" on Sunday afternoon about the leadership challenge. "People want to come and talk about the whole thing. Members feel very annoyed and frustrated," he said.
Mrs Nora Owen, Mr Phil Ho gan and Mr Fergus O'Dowd spoke at the meeting. Mr Damian English, a local county councillor, said the turnout to the meeting at short notice was testimony to Mr Bruton's popularity.
TDs speaking out against Mr Bruton should work to get seats instead of blaming him, Mr Liam Mullins said. Mr Jim Nevin, a party activist in Navan, said Mr Bruton would emerge stronger from the leadership challenge. "The last one was not a strong challenge and I think he's going to come out much stronger from this one."
Mr Nevin added that neither of the challengers was "up to it". "Michael Noonan is a nice fellow and a great party member but on a serious side, our man is way ahead. Jim Mitchell has been around Dublin a good while and is a good politician. As regards leadership, I don't think he has those qualities," he said.
Mr Peter Higgins, a county councillor and local party activist, was "cautiously optimistic" about Mr Bruton retaining his position as leader.
Mr Joe Fox, a party activist in Meath, said supporters were rallying around Mr Bruton.