Senior Waterford councillor backs challenge by Deasy

A senior Waterford county councillor has backed John Deasy in his challenge to Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.

John Carey, who has been a member of Waterford County Council for 28 years, said he would support Mr Deasy if he stood against Mr Kenny after the next general election.

Mr Carey told RTÉ's News at One: "John Deasy is a very ambitious politician. I believe that if we lose the general election there should be a leader challenge. The leader comes up for election after every general election. There's nothing new in John Deasy saying that he'd be looking for the job.

"I think Enda Kenny has lost a lot of ground the last while back. I think Fine Gael were wrong the way they handled the Bertie money thing.

"He [ Mr Deasy] knows he has plenty of support within the parliamentary party for the stand he is taking. In my opinion, for what it's worth, John Deasy is too strong for an awful lot of people. He has a very high profile."

Mr Deasy told a local radio station that Mr Kenny should face a leadership challenge if Fine Gael lost the general election, and he would be interested in the job.

Fine Gael has responded to Mr Deasy's challenge by telling him his best contribution would be to secure a second seat for the party in the Waterford constituency.

Fine Gael holds one seat in the four-seat constituency and it has selected Cllr Paudie Coffey and Cllr Jim D'Arcy as running mates for Mr Deasy.