Fianna Fáil's "disbanded" cumann in Mayo has deferred legal action pending a response to an invitation to party headquarters to address its members over the decision.
Former EU commissioner Padraig Flynn was among the members who attended a meeting of the Micheal O Morain Cumann in Castlebar on Monday night, at which it was agreed to ask party headquarters once more for an explanation.
Legal advice obtained by the cumann indicates that it has breached no rule under the Fianna Fáil constitution, or coru, and could therefore have grounds for seeking a judicial review.
Fianna Fáil headquarters says the cumann was disbanded because of its continued support for Mr Flynn's daughter, Independent TD Beverley Flynn, who was expelled from the party in 2004 after her failed Supreme Court appeal over an RTÉ libel case.
Fianna Fáil had no comment to make on the development yesterday, beyond reiterating that the Micheal O Morain Cumann was of "no concern" to it as it no longer existed.
However, it is understood that Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey and senior party officials are planning to travel to Castlebar next week to convene a meeting of officer board members from Mayo's various comhairle ceantair.
This will be preceded by a meeting in Dublin between the party's general secretary Sean Dorgan and a delegation from the Mayo comhairle Dáil ceantair, according to Joe Gunning, chairman of the Dáil ceantair. Mr Gunning said that he and his officers would receive a copy of a report on the future for the party in Mayo.
A majority of the 167 members of the Micheal O Morain Cumann oppose disbandment, but up to 20 per cent of members, including two elected local authority representatives and several possible general election candidates, have distanced themselves from the grouping in recent weeks.
The group's senior officials acknowledge that they were concerned about divisions in Castlebar dating back some years, but say they were led to believe that all cumainn in the town would be suspended pending creation of a new group.
They believe that the direction to axe the Micheal O Morain Cumann only was taken at the request of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern as a direct move against supporters of the Flynn family.
John Browne, cumann chair, said that he "wasn't going anywhere" until party headquarters responded to a series of questions which he has submitted to party secretary Sean Dorgan and national organiser Sean Sherwin.
Mr Browne said the cumann was one of the largest and most active in the State.
"Members are very hurt by this, as are people who voted for Ms Flynn at the last election.We just want an explanation," he said.
A decision on an outstanding debt of some €5,000 dating back to last year's local elections was deferred at Monday's meeting, until the key issue was dealt with.
The cumann public relations officer, John Hamrock, said that the problem was that it was no longer allowed to fundraise to clear this debt, but had received no assurance from party headquarters that the money would be paid.
