A Fine Gael councillor is to enter a motion of "no confidence" in the Sinn Féin mayor of Kerry, Toiréasa Ferris, at next Monday's meeting of Kerry County Council because of her refusal to condemn the shooting of Det Garda Jerry McCabe.
The threat of a no confidence motion was initially described by his fellow Fine Gael councillors as "a solo run" by Cllr Johnny O'Connor . However, it is likely to be supported by all eight Fine Gael councillors on the council as the party whip will now be imposed at a meeting on the issue this weekend.
A number of Fine Gael councillors who had initially indicated they opposed Mr O'Connor's motion said last night they supported the move.
The motion will be entered as an emergency motion because it is too late for the ordinary agenda.
Ms Ferris, the daughter of the TD Martin Ferris, refused to condemn the killing when asked to do so by RTÉ's Pat Kenny on the Late Late Show on Friday night and subsequently by local media.
Ms Ferris said she sympathised with the McCabe family but could not single out one incident out of over 3,000 in "the war".
Fianna Fáil members operate "a technical arrangement" with Sinn Féin for the mayor of the county as well as for positions on key committees.
Councillors Michael and Danny Healy-Rae support the Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin arrangement.
Last night Fianna Fáil indicated that there were "mixed feelings" within their group on the issue.