The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was forced to intervene in a breakdown in relations between the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, and her Clare constituency colleague, Mr Tony Killeen, documents have revealed.
Correspondence obtained under the Freedom Of Information Act records the collapse in relations between the two Fianna Fail TDs over recent months due to the long-running Mullaghmore dispute.
Last September, Mr Killeen, a long-time supporter of the centre, wrote to both Ms de Valera and Mr Ahern, expressing his anger over what he described as the Minister's "total capitulation" to the demands of the Burren Action Group in last July's High Court case. The court ordered that the Mullaghmore car park and visitor centre be destroyed.
Mr Killeen's first letter brought a stern rebuke from Ms de Valera who wrote to Mr Ahern: "I would very much prefer not to be placed in a position where I have to take issue with party colleagues, particularly from within my own constituency."
Expressing her disappointment with Mr Killeen's letter, she said it "does not at all present an accurate account of the various issues he raises and seems to reflect an effort to gain political advantage more than anything else".
In his letter, Mr Killeen warned that people in the area would prevent the movement of machinery on to the site. "These people are likely to be in contempt of court and may well be committed to jail for this protest, which could have been avoided and could perhaps still be avoided if you enter into meaningful dialogue with them."
Responding directly to Mr Killeen, Ms de Valera said: "I was somewhat perplexed by the contents of your letter, as I thought that the background to these issues was already very well understood."
In reply, Mr Killeen said he enjoyed a better briefing on the dispute when Fianna Fail was in opposition. He added: "I supported my neighbours when Mr Michael D. Higgins sent in bulldozers and I intend to repeat the action on this occasion, whatever the consequences."
After a brief response from Ms de Valera, no further correspondence took place between the two. Mr Killeen was then involved in protests at Mullaghmore, preventing machinery from gaining access on February 3rd.
Two days later, before another protest took place at the site, Mr Killeen wrote to Mr Ahern for the second time asking for his intervention. Mr Ahern spoke to Ms de Valera and she wrote to him two days later, outlining her Department's policy on the matter.
That same day, Ms de Valera released a statement which said: "The rule of law must be complied with and that goes for public representatives as well as individuals concerned."
Later that evening, protesting locals withdrew from the site to allow demolition commence after consultation with Mr Ahern and Mr Killeen.
