Councillor resigns after row over alleged cocaine snorting
Liam Kelly is now an independent councillor but remains a member of the Fianna Fail party.
The councillor had been under severe pressure to move away from the party on the council.
Fianna Fail was informed of Mr Kelly's decision to resign the party whip by his lawyers last night, a party spokesman said.
"Fianna Fail has, late this evening, been informed by solicitors acting on behalf of Cllr Liam Kelly that he has resigned his membership of the Fianna Fail group on Dublin City Council with immediate effect," said the spokesman.
It is believed that Mr Kelly is receiving medical treatment.
The allegations that Cllr Kelly snorted cocaine are being investigated by Fianna Fail.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern confirmed a week ago that he has ordered an internal investigation into the drub abuse claims against Mr Kelly
The Dublin City Council member has been embroiled in controversy since photographs were published last month, apparently showing him allegedly taking the drug.
Mr Ahern said last week that the issue of concern to the party was whether Mr Kelly was snorting cocaine or not.
"If he was, that is a serious matter and the party will deal with it," Mr Ahern said.
"There will be no fudging that or hiding for Councillor Kelly."
Mr Kelly has denied using drugs and says the pictures were staged.
Allegations of an attempt to extort money from him are being investigated by gardai.
The initiation of the inquiry into the alleged cocaine snorting takes the action taken by the party a step further.
Fianna Fail say that the party expects Mr Kelly to cooperate fully with the inquiry.
If a member of Fianna Fail was found to have snorted cocaine, it would constitute conduct unbecoming and would result in expulsion from the party, sources said.
If Mr Kelly did not cooperate with the investigation, that in itself would be a breach of party rules and would result in Mr Kelly's expulsion.
Until last night, Mr Kelly had resisted pressure to resign the Fianna Fail party whip.
- Fionnan Sheahan
