Fianna Fáil councillors Paddy Kilduff and Ivan Connaughton are to be questioned by the party following a complaint made by their south Roscommon colleague Cllr. John Keogh.
Cllr. Keogh made a complaint to Fianna Fáil at HQ level in relation to a dispute that arose between himself and Cllr. Kilduff, the new Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council. The party indicated recently that the matter would be considered by its rules and procedures committee.
Dublin-based party sources said that Cllrs. Kilduff and Connaughton were contacted this week to say the investigation was proceeding, and that both councillors would be called to meetings in due course.
Cllr. Connaughton is indirectly involved in the impasse. Cllr. Keogh lost the Fianna Fáil party whip after voting for Cllr. John Naughten, of Fine Gael, as chairman of Athlone Municipal District, instead of for Cllr. Connaughton.
Cllr. Connaughton told the Roscommon People on Wednesday: “It would be more appropriate for Fianna Fáil headquarters to investigate Cllr. Keogh for voting for a Fine Gael councillor for the position of chairperson of Athlone Municipal District – and, as a consequence, putting the Fianna Fáil-Independent council alliance in jeopardy.
“The issue between Cllrs. Keogh and Kilduff is, in my belief, between themselves. I am mystified that Cllr. Keogh sent a complaint to headquarters about me after voting for a Fine Gael candidate in the Council Chamber.
” Other local party members will also be questioned in connection with the controvery, one of whom will be interviewed by the party in Dublin early next week.
He said: “I intend to co-operate fully with the investigation, internally within the party and deal with any legal issues that arise.”
