Two Fine Gael councillors who refused to back a party colleague because of her stance on a controversial rezoning vote have been summoned to an internal disciplinary hearing.
The hearing into the conduct of Cllrs Ann Marie Power and Maxine Keoghan is scheduled for next Tuesday in Dublin following their failure to vote for their Fine Gael colleague Lola O’Sullivan in the contest for the mayoralty of Tramore, Co Waterford, last month.
It is understood Fine Gael county councillors in Waterford are meeting tonight with party general secretary Tom Curran.
Party headquarters would not discuss tonight’s meeting, or next week’s disciplinary hearing when contacted. A spokesperson described them as “private” and “internal party procedures”.
Ms Power and Ms Keoghan said last month they could not support Ms O’Sullivan as mayor as she had voted in favour of the rezoning of some land outside Dungarvan in 2008. The land, which was key to the Fred Forsey corruption trial in May, was the subject of a Garda inquiry at the time of the 2008 vote. The rezoning was passed, with seven Fine Gael members, including Cllr O’Sullivan, among those voting in favour.
Cllr Power was one of four Fine Gael councillors who opposed the rezoning. The issue was raised during the Forsey trial in June when Ms Power said it had “split the party”.
Ms Power and Ms Keoghan confirmed they have received letters asking them to attend a disciplinary hearing.
Attempts to contact Cllr O’Sullivan were unsuccessful.