McGuinness and running mate in poster dispute
Wednesday May 13 2009
FINE Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness was yesterday accused by her running mate of breaching her party's plan to hold on to its two seats in the Ireland East constituency.
FG Senator John-Paul Phelan said Ms McGuinness was breaking an internal campaigning deal by postering in the wrong areas.
Senator Phelan said he was "angry" canvassers for Ms McGuinness had put up posters around south Kildare and Laois -- areas which come under his "half" of the constituency.
The party has divided the province of Leinster in two in an effort to manage its vote and retain both seats won five years ago.
Fine Gael's director of elections, Billy Timmins, said the postering "shouldn't have happened" and confirmed that he had "instructed" Ms McGuinness to take down the offending placards.
Despite Ms McGuinness's campaign claiming the postering was a "genuine mistake", Mr Phelan has called on Fine Gael bosses to sort out the conflict.
"I am angry that this has happened but it will be a matter for party headquarters to deal with," he said.
According to the senator's team, it's the second breach of the internal party agreement by Ms McGuinness.
- Conor Kane
