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By Tom Kelly Controversial independent Mayo County Councillor Padraig Cosgrove has lifted the lid on a plot to entice him back to the Fianna Fail party. The Bangor -based representative told how 'an unofficial approach' was made to him by Fianna Fail members of Mayo County Council prior to the annual general meeting of the authority last July. It was indicated to him that he would be 'welcomed back into the fold' if he made an application to rejoin the party with which he had fallen out in 1991 after sensationally failing to win a nomination to contest the local elections. Arising out of the initial sounding-out process, Mr. Cosgrove was summoned to a secret meeting with three party members of the council, namely Mr. Pat McHugh, the then chairman, Mr. Stephen Molloy and Mr. Al McDonnell. The negotiations broke down when the three Fianna Fail representatives refused to consider Mr. Cosgrove's demand for him to be appointed chairman of the council last July ahead of Fine Gael nominee, Mr. Pat Kilbane. A Fianna Fail source close to the reconciliation attempt, who did not wish to be named, confirmed last night that the meeting with Mr. Cosgrove did take place. The three representatives met him out of courtesy after Mr. Cosgrove made an application to rejoin the party. The source did not deny that an earlier approach had been made to Mr. Cosgrove. He added Mr. Cosgrove made demands which were unacceptable to them and the meeting was terminated. "There was nothing underhanded in what occurred. There is nothing to be gained from bringing this story out into the public forum." |
