SUPPORTERS of Fianna Fail MEP candidate Thomas Byrne have driven all the way to west Donegal to “plaster” the area with posters – in a new bid to oust Donegal MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher from his seat.
There is already “deep anger” within Fianna Fail grassroots in the county over how they believe party HQ bosses want to shaft The Cope.
The outgoing Donegal MEP is facing a battle to keep his seat with running ‘mate’ Thomas Byrne ahead of him in the polls.
Fianna Fail is possibly facing a scenario where Byrne, who was parachuted into the contest by under-fire leader Micheal Martin, could win the seat from Gallagher.
An increasingly bitter row however has seen “a wave of support” for Pat The Cope from grassroots Fianna Fail supporters not just in Donegal but throughout the 15-county constituency of Midlands North West.
“They (Byrne’s supporters) are out to shaft Pat,” said one senior party source.
“Pat entered the electoral pact in good faith but Byrne and HQ have thwarted his chances at every opportunity and there is considerable anger at how Pat has been treated.
“Sure Byrne’s people have spent two days in west Donegal putting up extra posters of him; it’s like a two-fingered salute to The Cope and that’s no way to treat a loyal member of the party who has done everything asked of him by Fianna Fail for decades including giving up his Dail seat five years ago to go to Europe.
“It’s shameful and to be fair Gallagher is getting a good reaction from people who aren’t exactly happy with Micheal Martin’s leadership at the moment.”
Earlier this week sources told Donegal Daily that they suspect Mr Martin wants party pal Byrne elected at the expense of Gallagher.
“It’s clear who everyone in headquarters wants to win the seat and that is Byrne,” said one life-long Donegal Fianna Fail member.
“The strategy of backing Byrne will undoubtedly get him a seat in Europe, but it will be at the expense of The Cope, so it will be a very hollow victory for the party as a whole but it will be a victory for those who want Byrne in and that seems to be everyone at HQ.”
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