Taoiseach Micheál Martin has incensed members of Fianna Fáil following the delay to Marc MacSharry’s readmittance to the party.
The row “could be a powder keg” that could see party members turn against their leader, one TD warned.
Sligo-Leitrim TD MacSharry, who left the party in September 2021 over Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney’s handling of the Katherine Zappone debacle, was expected to be readmitted to the party on Wednesday evening.
Read More: Marc MacSharry's readmission to Fianna Fail 'on hold' due to an 'issue that has arisen'
However, whip Jack Chambers told a party meeting that a “matter had arisen” and his readmission was on hold.
Sources told the Irish Mirror that a councillor in Sligo made a complaint to Fianna Fáil in recent days over the content of a WhatsApp message.
In July, Mr MacSharry stated that Taoiseach Micheál Martin made a commitment to him that cardiac services would be improved in Sligo University Hospital. It is understood that a local councillor recently appeared on local radio stating that no improvement had been made.
It has been suggested that Mr MacSharry later sent an angry message to the councillor in a WhatsApp group and accused him of being defeatist.
The complaint was made this week and is being investigated.
However, the manner in which the issue was dealt with by the Taoiseach and the party has infuriated Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators.
One source said that it was a “hatchet job”.
“This could be a powder keg,” one TD said.
“There has been no appetite to get rid of the Taoiseach. Everything has been very positive after the Budget.
“He has now given people a case to be against him.”
People who would often be seen as supporters of the Taoiseach have also been deeply critical of how the matter was handled.
One TD said: “We’re all human. It is reprehensible how Marc has been treated.”
Another TD said that there have been complaints made by people to Fianna Fáil in the past but “nothing like this has ever happened”.
Several party members also branded the situation a “set up”.
While on a trip to Brussels, the Taoiseach was asked if he was concerned that Mr MacSharry’s reputation would be damaged because of the lack of information shared by the party about the complaint.
“It is an internal party matter that is being dealt with internally by the party,” he said.
“I am not going to comment on this. I’m not at liberty to comment any further.”
“The Chief Whip made a statement to the parliamentary party. A matter had arisen and as a result of that matter, he wasn’t in a position to table the motion, which in accordance with the rules of the party, the Chief Whip must table. He just simply wasn’t in a position to table [it].
“There are very good reasons why we cannot comment.”
A Finna Fáil spokesperson said the party did not have any further comment.
In a letter to Fianna Fáil headquarters, seen by the Irish Mirror, Mr MacSharry said that he was “deeply upset and offended” that Mr Chambers told the parliamentary party that an “issue had arisen”.
He said that Mr Chambers’ statement had “damaged his reputation”.
He suggested that some members of the party assumed he was “being subjected to a criminal investigation”.
“Members of the public now assume, incorrectly, that there are serious allegations outstanding against me,” he said.
He also accused the party of following through on the complaint because he “is not in favour with the party leadership”.
Mr MacSharry noted that the Taoiseach had called for “due process” to be given to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar in the wake of the garda investigation when he shared a copy of a GP negotiation contract with a friend.
“As you are aware, unlike in the case of the Tánaiste, no allegation of criminal wrongdoing was made against me.
“Instead, it was a complaint alleging bullying based on the content of two private WhatsApp messages.
“Like the Tánaiste, I am entitled to due process.”
Mr MacSharry said that the party should have proceeded with the motion as planned.
He said that he “assumed” that the issue was in relation to the WhatsApp conversation with Sligo councillor on July 19. The complaint was made on October 13, he said.
“I have been repeatedly subjected to criticism by other Fianna Fáil representatives and I fully respect their entitlement to criticise me. We are not members of a Stalinist party that does not permit debate, discussion and disagreement,” he added.
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