Split in Fianna Fáil on new Limerick council resolved

The disagreement involving Fianna Fáil councillors elected to Limerick City and County Council last week has been resolved following discussions between the councillors and the party's General Secretary Seán Dorgan on Friday evening.

In a statement this afternoon, Fianna Fáil said all 13 councillors would now take their places on the party benches at the first meeting of the new council this week.

The split emerged less than a week after the party became the largest on the merged local authority.

Four councillors broke away from the party describing themselves as “Independent Fianna Fáil.”

It happened after Councillor Eddie Ryan lost out on becoming leader of the party and long-serving Councillor Kieran O’Hanlon failed in his bid for the position of deputy leader.

Cousins Michael and James Collins were elected as leader and deputy leader at the group's first meeting on Thursday.

Four of the newly elected FF members subsequently indicated their intention to break away from the party and form an independent block. The four were Mr Ryan, Mr O’Hanlon, Kevin Sheahan, Joe Crowley.