Veteran cllr in FF interview row

Veteran Fianna Fail councillor and former TD Michael Lynch is making himself unavailable for interview for the candidate and councillor interviews being conducted by Fianna Fail headquarters this week. The Oldcastle councillor says that candidates for the June local elections should be chosen by convention and not by a committee in Mount Street. 'It has taken the power and trust away from the local organisation,' Cllr Lynch said. 'I have served Fianna Fail for 50 years and they give you a few days" notice to do an interview. I am away this week and have asked for clarification on the situation regarding candidates before committing myself.' Cllr Lynch, a former TD and senator, said the party headquarters should clarify how many candidates it intends to run in the Kells area. 'There has always been vote management in the area and to run four candidates would leave much smaller areas for candidates to pull from,' he added. If he does not get commitment on various issues, he says he will withdraw from the process. 'I feel it"s a stand I have to take. It"s not related to the national situation - I"ve seen much worse in seven council elections and six general elections. I have told them they can"t depend on me this time.' Fianna Fail has yet to announce its candidates for the Navan area, with potential candidates and councillors having interviewed before Christmas.