Crunch meeting on Labour Party row

The transfer saga of former Fine Gael Alderman Jim McGarry to Labour could take a fresh twist this week. A crunch meeting of the party’s constituency council on Thursday evening in the Trades club is due to consider the decision of the West Ward’s branch to accept him into the party.

The branch accepted the councillor’s application to join on a 7-6 vote. But a previous meeting of the constituency council voted to defer Councillor McGarry’s request to join until after next year’s local elections. Councillor Declan Bree has sent a letter to all members claiming that the future of the party is at stake. Councillor Bree said the had been contacted by a number of members who believe that McGarry does not share Labour values. However party bosses have told local activists to toe the line in a statement issued last week. Party members have been urged to accept Councillor McGarry’s arrival. All activists have been told to accept the democratic decision of the branch. They have been urged to set aside differences and work towards increasing the party’s vote in the forthcoming local elections. Councillor Bree declined to comment on the national executive’s call to toe the line ahead of Thursday night’s meeting.

However he said the statement would not allay fears about Councillor McGarry’s membership. Meanwhile Councillor McGarry said he was not holding grudges against any members in Labour. He said he was looking forward to working to maximise the party’s vote in the local elections. He said he had to toe the FG party line in some votes which went against his natural leanings.