DONEGAL SOUTH West Deputy Mary Coughlan will be axed as deputy leader of Fianna Fail within days, party sources said last night.
New party leader Micheal Martin indicated that he will select a new deputy ‘shortly’ after winning the four-way race for the party leadership yesterday.
The other candidates were Ministers Éamon Ó Cuív, Brian Lenihan and Mary Hanafin.
Mr Martin was elected after three counts and that the runner up was Mr Ó Cuív and it’s thought the grandson of De Valera will be popular with grassroots supporters.
It would certainly be popular with party supporters in Gaoth Dobhair where he has was a familiar face when serving as Gaeltacht Minister.
Ms Coughlan is believed to have told Mr Martin that she should be replaced ‘as soon as possible’ to allow the party to re-group in time for the general election.
Last night the finance bill was passed at its next stage by two votes as independent TDs Michael Lowry and Jackie Healy-Rae supported the Bill after they said they secured a number of concessions.
Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Féin voted against the Government, as did four Independents – Noel Grealish, Maureen O’Sullivan, Finian McGrath and Mattie McGrath.
