FIANNA FAIL DISMISS CLAIMS OF COLLUSION WITH McGUINNESS

By TOM KELLY

Former Ballina Dail Deputy Sean Calleary said they was no question of an 'offer' being made to McGuinness to keep him out of the election race.

The vote-gathering success of the Castlebar councillor resulted in Fianna Fail candidate Beverley Cooper Flynn missing out on the seat in the West Mayo by-election in 1994 at the expense of Fine Gael's Michael Ring.

Speculation was growing in the county that Fianna Fail were seriously considering offering McGuinness a deal to improve their prospects of winning three seats in the forthcoming election.

But Calleary has made it clear that nothing of the sort was ever considered. "The RTC issue is not as hot a political issue as it was three years ago, and I think the people of Mayo realise that."

The Fianna Fail candidate caught up in the rumpus, Beverley Cooper Flynn, said a secret deal of the nature being suggested was totally out of the question. "Fianna Fail cannot allow their agenda to be set by other people. That point has been made clear from the top level of the party, and I am in total agreement."

Councillor Cooper Flynn said she was not unduly concerned over the prospect of McGuinness running again. "I welcome any candidate who wants to put his or her name on the ballot sheet.

"What I will be saying to people who wish to vote for an independent candidate standing on a particular issue is that they should consider giving a preference vote to me and my colleagues.

"That is what will be different about the Fianna Fail campaign on this occasion. We will actually be seeking transfers from wherever we can get them."

In an exclusive interview with the Connaught Telegraph, she expressed disappointment that some sections within the party did not pull in her favour during the by-election three years ago.

"I was disappointed the party did not work as effectively as a unit as it was capable of doing. There was no doubt in my mind the seat was there to be won.

"I believe people did not work as hard as I would have liked as opposed to pulling against me."