Crunchtime for conlan and fine gael

Tonight, some time after 8pm, embattled TD Sean Conlan will be putting his case forward for Fine Gael’s general selection convention in the Kilmore Hotel, despite his public refusal to personally back the party leader this morning.

Some time again after 8pm, we’ll know if that rift has cost him his political career.
Deputy Conlan this morning refused to give Taoiseach Enda Kenny his personal support, only telling Northern Sound radio that Kenny was going to lead the party into the next election, that there was no choice in the matter but that Fine Gael was the best party to lead the country.
The Cavan-Monaghan TD’s latest headlines - and there’s a list - concerned him alleging that he was assaulted in his own pub because he was a politician, describing it as an attack on democracy.
“I was assaulted because of my position as a TD. This is a direct attack on democracy. I sustained injury as a result of the attack and was referred for further investigation and MRI examination,” he said.

Three into two
Conlan has always suspected that negative stories in the media have been planted by political rivals to undermine his public persona. Despite being at odds with HQ, who ultimately decide election strategy and de-selection of candidates, he still expects three candidates to be run, believing it to be the best way to hold two seats in the constituency.
Deputy Conlan told the Celt: “The party is expected to run three candidates and with the support of Fine Gael members I hope to be one of those three. Contrary to reports... I have been in regular contact with FG headquarters and many very loyal and supportive members of the FG party here in Monaghan and Cavan over the last week.”
The exact nature of that contact with HQ, however, is also subject to speculation.
It remains to be seen if FG HQ will press the nuclear option and tell members that the party has decided on a two-candidate strategy but it has been doing the rounds.
Imposing a two-seat dictat would severely hamper Conlan - Deputy Joe O’Reilly is favoured by HQ for Cavan and Minister for Arts Heather Humphreys favoured in Monaghan. for the now four-seater constituency.

Controversy
Leaving the alleged assault aside, Conlan has received bucketloads of negative commentary in recent months over, firstly, a controversy about an engagement ring that, he claimed, could have only been leaked by his own party and, secondly, over hiring his fiancee, Sarah Comiskey, as his parliamentary assistant.
His previous assistant, who he dismissed for allegedly leaking political information to rivals, took him to an employment tribunal and was awarded €25K but Conlan has appealed the ruling.
In September of last year, he hit out at Kenny and FG over the controversial appointment of John McNulty to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), days before McNulty was nominated to run for the Seanad, which he lost.
Conlan said the appointment was “a mistake”, “totally wrong” and that it “damaged the image of Fine Gael”.
Tonights outcome regardless, questions of damaged images on all sides will linger.