Wounds not healed

Wounds not yet healed in Flynn factions

Anna-Marie Flynn

A PLAN put forward by Fianna Fáil headquarters in a bid to unite pro- and anti-Flynn factions has been rejected by Castlebar Town Cumann.
At a meeting in Castlebar three weeks ago, Fianna Fáil general secretary, Seán Dorgan proposed that the four existing cumainn – Paddy Quinn Cumann, GMIT Cumann, Castlebar Town Cumann and Johnny Jordan Cumann – be disbanded in favour of the formation of one cumann.
Accompanied by regional organiser, Jackie Lally, Mr Dorgan tabled the proposal to the Comhairle Dáil Ceantair Officer Board and four cumainn.
But last week, the plan was unanimously rejected by the Castlebar Town Cumann with fears of any new formation being dominated by supporters of TD Beverley Flynn.
A source within Fianna Fáil told The Mayo News that Mr Dorgan had made it clear that his proposal, which is along the lines of the Castleconnell Agreement in Donegal, could be accepted or rejected, but assured the party faithful that should it be taken on board, there would be a ‘cast-iron guarantee’ that there would be no domination by the pro-Flynn camp, or the existing members of the Johnny Jordan Cumann. Plans devising power-sharing on a year-on-year basis and the division of voting rights were also put forward.
The new cumann would see 50 per cent of the voting rights allocated to members of the Johnny Jordan Cumann and 50 per cent to the three other cumainn combined.
Despite the acceptance of the plan by the Johnny Jordan Cumann, members of the Castlebar Town Cumann have said they will walk out if the plan goes ahead.  “A lot of party members feel the Flynns are just trying to ‘take over’ the local organisation. It’s a case of the Flynn supporters standing on the sidelines since Bev was ousted but now that things have changed they want to, not just get back in, but dominate everything,” said a Fianna Fáil member.
The Paddy Quinn and GMIT cumainn had not confirmed yesterday (Monday) whether or not they are in agreement with the HQ proposals.
Mayo Fianna Fáil Constituency Organiser, Denis Gallagher, said he remains positive about the future of the local organisation, despite the rejection of the plan. “The proposal was a draft document about the best way to move forward but that was all dependent on the cooperation of the all the cumainn. Even though this has been rejected by the Town Cumann, which wants to stay on its own, I think progress has been made between the groups and they will work well together in the future,” he said.
Deputy Flynn was not available for comment yesterday, and despite keeping a wide berth from the Cumann fall-out to date, she is expected to attend the September meeting of the Johnny Jordan Cumann.