Revealed: Fianna Fáil at war – moves under way to oust Martin

Successors clash as Cowen demands action

Taioseach Micheál Martin is facing a potential mutiny by some members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party against his leadership. Picture by Julien Behal Photography/PA

Jody Corcoran and Hugh O’Connell

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has hit back at Fianna Fáil leadership rival Jim O’Callaghan as war threatens to break out in the party over its disastrous by-election performance in Dublin Bay South.

Mr O’Brien yesterday told the Sunday Independent he was “surprised” at comments made by Mr O’Callaghan, who said after the humiliating defeat that Fianna Fáil did not understand the scale of the housing problem.