FIANNA FÁIL supporters in Castlebar, Co Mayo, have moved closer to resolving an internal dispute surrounding the expulsion of Beverley Flynn TD from the party four years ago.
The party has announced it is pressing ahead with plans to amalgamate the existing Johnny Jordan cumann with the former Micheál Ó Moráin cumann after years of bitter division.
A special meeting to establish the new Castlebar Fianna Fáil cumann is scheduled to take place in the Welcome Inn Hotel next Tuesday.
Establishment of the new cumann is expected to heal a bitter rift in Fianna Fáil in Mayo, which dates from events surrounding the expulsion of Ms Flynn from the party in May 2004 following her failed libel action against RTÉ.
Her return to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party earlier this year, following a legal settlement with RTÉ, has helped pave the way for a reconciliation.
Although members of a third cumann, known as the Castlebar Town cumann, have opted to retain their independence, the merging of the two other units is regarded as a major step in restoring party unity.
Ms Flynn said the imminent amalgamation would play a key role in clawing back lost support. She said: "I am confident we will get it right. I am feeling very positive vibes within the organisation. There are people who want to see the party back where it belongs in Castlebar."