Fianna Fáil drops disciplinary threat against Mary Hanafin

Former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin has confirmed the party has dropped its threat of disciplinary action against her for contesting the local elections against leader Micheál Martin's wishes.

Ms Hanafin was elected in the Blackrock ward of Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council along with the party's favoured candidate Kate Feeney, president of the youth wing Ógra Fianna Fáil.

“I got a call on Wednesday afternoon from a party representative saying no action was being taken and congratulations,” Ms Hanafin said.

She said the caller added that the party was “delighted to have two councillors in the ward”.

This morning, a Fianna Fáil spokesman commented: “The Ard Chomhairle’s Rules and Procedures Committee met and considered the matter. While the committee was disappointed at the decision of Mary Hanafin to proceed to contest the election despite the expressed wishes of the party’s candidate-ratifying process and procedures, they took all circumstances into account.

"As the voters in the Blackrock LEA elected both councillors Kate Feeney and Mary Hanafin the committee now considers the matter closed.”

The council sits for the first time today.

A row erupted during the campaign when Ms Hanafin defied the party leadership to contest the elections despite having been told headquarters had changed its mind about her standing.

Mr Martin himself intervened, asking Ms Hanafin a number of times not to stand.

However, Ms Hanafin had already been given the party nomination papers and said she had been given no good reason why she should not stand. Fianna Fáil did not count the former TD on its official candidate list.

Ms Hanafin lost her Dáil seat in the 2011 general election, when she was Mr Martin’s deputy leader. She held a number of senior ministries, including minister for education, and was also government chief whip.

She was elected on the first count in the recent local elections and has said she will not accept any allowances or expenses.