Eamon O Cuiv's rebellion against Fianna Fail's backing of a Yes vote escalated yesterday when three councillors joined his camp.

Mr O Cuiv continues to be a thorn in the side of party leader Micheal Martin and is due to meet with the Fianna Fail chief whip to discuss his position on the referendum today.

But three county councillors from Mr O Cuiv's home county of Galway have now adopted his stance of calling for a No vote to the referendum.

Fianna Fail councillors Tomas Mannion, the leader of the party's group on the county council, Seamus Walsh and Sean O Tuairisg came out to say they are not convinced the ratification of the treaty will benefit the country.

Heartland

Mr Walsh and Mr O Tuairisg are from Mr O Cuiv's heartland of Connemara.

Mr O Tuairisg told the Irish Independent the stance of the three was not solely based on Mr O Cuiv's position.

"I don't think it would be a case of personalities. I feel it would be a bad deal for the country," he said.

Mr Martin is finally moving to halt the renegade TD's campaign against the party's stance on the referendum.

Mr O Fearghail will meet with Mr O Cuiv today to find out how much campaigning for a No vote he expects to do.

Despite campaigning for a Yes vote, the party is allowing Mr O Cuiv to call for a No vote -- provided he doesn't actively tour the country or share a platform with Sinn Fein. Mr O Cuiv is threatening to seek legal advice if there is any effort to remove him from the party.

How do you solve a problem like O Cuiv

Irish Independent