A row has erupted over the process used by Fine Gael in selecting a third candidate to contest this Junes local election in the Laytown/Bettystown area.
And the fall out has seen the secretary of the Dukeek branch, 25 year old Dylan Heavey quit the party.
Heavey confirmed to Meath Live, ‘ My resignation was formalised earlier this week, I want to emphasise that it has nothing to do with my failure to secure a place on the ticket but everything to do with the process used to select that candidate.
‘I made a complaint about it to the national executive and their response left me with little choice but to quit, and currently I am considering my options in regard to running as an Independent.’
The third FG candidate alongside sitting councillors Paddy Meade and Sharon Tolan, who had their own well publicised dispute over parking on Bettystown beach, will be Rosnaree based auctioneer Declan O’Neill.
Heavey sought the nomination as far back as 2019 and when the selection convention came round he finished third in a vote behind Tolan and Meade but ahead of O’Neill.
However initially the party opted to just run the sitting councillors but sources have told us that O’Neill was offered the option of being added to the ticket which he at first declined while Heavey was ruled out.
It appears O’Neill subsequently had a change of heart and is set to run.
A source close to thelocal FG executive told us’ I am glad you are highlighting this, more resignations are likely to follow as members are very unhappy with what has gone on.
‘ The feeling is that the real winner in this mess is Fiana Fáil councillor Stephen McKee who has the whole Duleek village vote to himself, hopefully Dylan knows he has a lot of support among the rank and file in East Meath.’
