25 June 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Much has been written about Sinn Fein’s internal problems in Co Cork in recent days (one Cllr expelled from the party, and another suspended for a year). Now, Fianna Fail in Cork is experiencing its own crisis in the ‘rebel county’.
The Mayor of Cork County Councillor Alan Coleman has today resigned from the Fianna Fáil party, and will run in the forthcoming General Election as an Independent candidate.
The Mayor of Cork County Cllr. Alan Coleman who resigned from the Fianna Fáil party in Cork yesterday speaking at his press conference at the Kingsley Hotel, Cork. Photo COPYRIGHT: Billy macGill
First elected as a councillor in 1991 Alan Coleman was the first Fianna Fáil Mayor of Cork County elected since 1990.
Why has the Mayor left Fianna Fáil?
The councillor has cited a disconnect by the Fianna Fáil leadership with every day local and national issues as his reason for resigning .
“Travelling throughout Cork county as Mayor in recent months I have observed a palpable air of dissatisfaction with the lack of vision and leadership of Fianna Fáil”
“Fianna Fáil is clearly lacking policies that will improve the country we live in”
“As an experienced publicly elected representative I listen to the people that elect me and who I serve. Meeting these people it is clear that issues that effect urban and rural Ireland are not being brought to the fore by Fianna Fáil ”
“The party has become reactive rather than proactive towards issues that impinge on farmers , small businesses and fishermen alike . Rural Ireland has been decimated by the present Government and Michael Martin has failed to react”
Reflecting on his decision Cllr Coleman said
” I have been considering my future for some time and the groundswell of support towards me from people throughout West Cork has persuaded me to move forward as an Independent”
“I have made many friends in politics , particularly in Fianna Fáil but today this is a selfless decision by me to allow the constituents of Cork South West to elect an experienced, capable and proven representative ”
“Since 1991 every time I stood for public election I have been returned and I look forward to the opportunity of representing the views of Cork South West effectively in Dáil Eireann”
Are they other reasons for the Mayor leaving Fianna Fáil?
Alan Coleman has a strong ambition to run for a Dail seat in Cork South West. It had been thought then when party Senator Denis O’Donovan announced his retirement that Alan Coleman would have been the parties preferred candidate for the ticket, however another Cllr – Bandon-based Margaret Murphy-O’Mahony -secured the nomination for Fianna Fáil. Mr Coleman enjoys strong support in the West Cork constituency, and will run as an Independent.
