Reaction to FF Cllr's resignation
Reaction to Cllr Shane P O'Reilly's resignation from the Fianna Fail party has been swift and supportive.
Now former party colleague John Paul Feeley said his Cavan County Council counterpart's departure was a "great loss".
"Shane P. was a respected and valued member of our Council Group who contributed in every way. He will be very much missed. I want to emphasise that there were no issues with him amongst his colleague on the Council. He is and will remain a valued colleague and friend despite the fact that he is no longer a party member."
As Whip of the Fianna Fáil Group, Cllr Feeley moved thanked Cllr O'Reilly, who twice served as Cathaoirleach- 2014 and 2019- for his "massive contribution" over his 16 years an elected representative.
He further praised Cllr O'Reilly's "positive approach and his commitment to his colleagues and his constituents. On a personal basis, I thank him for his friendship and which him Eilisha and their family well."
Cllr Feeley continued by saying that he understood the current proposed coalition had been a "significant factor" in Cllr O'Reilly's decision to quit Fianna Fail, but that it was only the "final straw in a series of issues" that had bothered the Mullagh-based elected representative.
Cllr Feeley noted too that Cllr O'Reilly is the Fianna Fail councillor to leave the party in Cavan in recengt years- after now Aontú candidate Sarah O'Reilly departed in 2018. After that occasion Cllr Feeley said he asked Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and the party heirarchy to investigate the situation. To date, Cllr Feeley says he has received no response yo that request.
"Shane P is the second councillor to leave our group in recent years. The reason for both so doing does not come from within our group. When Cllr Sarah O’Reilly left us I asked Uachtarain Fhianna Fáil, Micheal Martin TD and the Party General Secretary, Seán Dorgan to intervene, to investigate and with the situation. That request has not even been acknowledged. No action has been taken."
Cllr Feeley concluded by stating: "I hope that the Party Leader and Headquarters will reflect on their failure to address these matter."
There was reaction too to Cllr O'Reilly's leaving the party from Fairer Future, the grassroots grouping from within Fianna Fail set up and now strongly opposing the decision to enter a coalition government with bitter political rivals Fine Gael and the Green Party.
In post on Twitter, the group, which has the backing of more than 50 Councillors including those on Cavan Council, stating that many had canvassed for Cllr O'Reilly in the past, particularly when he stood for the last two Seanad elections.
'He’s a huge loss to FF. Shane’s resignation highlights the frustration many members feel about the deal with FG. Resigning, however, is not the way forward. The party belongs to us all, not just a small elite. Walking away means they win', said the Tweet.
READ MORE: https://www.anglocelt.ie/2020/06/18/cllr-shane-p-quits-ff/