A majority of councillors on Kerry County Council yesterday rejected a motion to nominate Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon to be a candidate at the presidential election at the end of October. Anne Lucey reports.
The councillors rejected her bid by a majority of 14 votes to eight, with both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors breaking respective local and national instructions and voting for Ms Scallon. Locally, Fianna Fáil had sought a "collective" decision, while Fine Gael nationally had asked councillors to vote against her.
Three councillors, including both Sinn Féin members and a Fine Gael member, abstained.
When the vote was counted there were heated comments from supporters of Ms Scallon in the council chambers. Later some councillors were heckled as they left the building for lunch.
The eight who voted for Ms Scallon included the two Labour councillors and Independent councillor Mr Brendan Cronin who moved the motion to nominate her.
To some surprise in the chamber, the motion for her nomination was seconded by Mr Tom Fleming (FF). Mr Fleming said Ms Scallon was "a credible candidate" the last time. "She still is and I certainly would not deny any candidate the chance to contest an election," he said.
Fianna Fáil's Cllr Ted Fitzgerald, a former chairman and a member of Tralee Town Council, also supported the motion.
Three of the eight Fine Gael councillors also voted for Ms Scallon despite a national directive from headquarters not to support her.