TD has tunnel vision, says brother
AN ELECTION candidate has accused his own TD brother of having "tunnel vision" and of being "asleep" at a time of national crisis.
The political rift between Eugene McGuinness and John McGuinness will be played out in public, as Eugene stands as an independent in the forthcoming local elections -- in opposition to his brother's Fianna Fail party.
John McGuinness, Junior Minister for Trade and Commerce, said he was "surprised" at the news.
His brother is hoping to be elected to Kilkenny City Council.
"You have a situation where the TDs are elected and you don't hear from them; the only thing you hear is the regurgitated rubbish," Eugene told the Irish Independent.
"All the TDs in Kilkenny and ministers, which include my brother, should attend a meeting in Kilkenny every two months to let us know what they're doing in Dail Eireann."
Eugene said his brother has "tunnel vision" when it comes to politics and thinks of nothing else but politics.
"What I'm suggesting is that they're all gone asleep. As soon as they're elected, they go into political hibernation."
Eugene will also be campaigning against his nephew Andrew, John McGuinness' son, who currently sits on the city council. He said he hadn't spoken to his brother or his nephew about his own candidacy but insists there is no rift.
- Conor Kane
