Fianna Fáil members have reacted angrily to the leaking of comments made by the wife of former taoiseach Brian Cowen on a private Facebook page.

Mary Cowen criticised former minister Mary Hanafin, now a Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown councillor, in a post on a page solely for party members.

In the post Mrs Cowen said leader Micheál Martin needed to be wary because Ms Hanafin appeared to think she was “running the party”.

“Micheál Martin better watch his back as there wouldn’t be too much loyalty there.”

The post is believed to be in response to quotes attributed to Ms Hanafin claiming that party members wanted her to influence party policy.

Mrs Cowen said the former minister is not even elected yet and now appeared to be “running the party”.

In response to a comment on the post, Mrs Cowen said Ms Hanafin is getting plenty of air and press time.

Ms Hanafin said she did not wish to respond to the comment, which has since been deleted.

Fianna Fail members have criticised the information being leaked to the media.

Ms Hanafin caused controversy at Fianna Fáil’s ardfheis this weekend when she urged the party to enter coalition discussions with Fine Gael after the election.

This followed an interview with Mr Martin who insisted Ms Hanafin will not be guaranteed a frontbench position if she wins a return to the Dáil.

There have been previous tensions between Mr Martin and Ms Hanafin, who defied party orders and registered as a candidate in the local elections in 2014 .