MR MICHAEL LOWRY is today expected to begin his battle to retain his Dail seat as an Independent candidate in North Tipperary. His intention to contest the general election is due to be confirmed today in his home constituency.
Confirmation of his plan to continue in national politics throws down the gauntlet to Fine Gael almost three weeks after he resigned from the party for failing to regularise his tax affairs before the end-of-February deadline set by the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton.
His announcement is likely to cause a schism in the party in North Tipperary and mean that the bulk of the organisation continues to support him. This development will embarrass the Fine Gael leadership and almost certainly lead to the loss of the North Tipperary seat by the party.
Meanwhile, a Fine Gael convention tomorrow night will select a candidate from four contenders to contest the election. Only one of the four seeking the nomination is to be selected. They are Mr Tom Berkery, Councillor Mai Quinn, Councillor Tom Ryan and Councillor Noel Coonan.
Depending on the outcome the Fine Gael executive council may for strategic reasons decide to add a second candidate to the ticket. It is believed in party circles that, although absent on the night, Mr Lowry's influence may be felt at the selection convention and the FG leadership will attempt to ensure the strongest candidate is put forward.
Following Mr Lowry's formal announcement that he would be a candidate, three other councillors in North Tipperary including his brother - are expected to inform Fine Gael headquarters that they intend to support him. Confirmation of loyalty to Mr Lowry rather than the party will lead to their immediate expulsion from Fine Gael.
Informed party sources told The Irish Times that other key members and organisers are set to follow the councillors' example, but the full extent of Mr Lowry's support will not become clear for some time. The majority were going to wait until after Mr Lowry had formally announced his decision before publicly backing him.
However, both his critics and supporters say he will retain the North Tipperary seat at Fine Gael's expense. If elected as an Independent, he is widely expected in political circles to support Fine Gael in the Dail and to be readmitted to the party at a later date when his finances are in order.