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Renua sold annual members’ draw tickets priced at €50 each – but it never took place.

They were flogged in the second half of last year with a grand prize of €1,000 meant to be handed to the winner after Christmas.

One disgruntled member asked how chiefs could be expected to run a party if they can’t run a raffle.

She told the Irish Mirror: “I would like to let you know that Renua collected €50 a ticket for a raffle late last year. It was to be held early 2019 for a prize of €1,000.

“It still has not been held and they are not refunding money.

“Not only can they not hold a successful election but literally can’t even hold a raffle.”

A spokesman for the party said they still intend to host last year’s draw at some stage, although no specific date was given.

He added: “Due to the local elections and the leader of the party stepping down the draw was postponed. It will take place soon.”

The news comes as Renua is costing the taxpayer more than €1,000 a day in political funding despite having no elected politicians.

It’s last elected representative, councillor John Leahy, resigned as leader and member of the party after he was elected a councillor again in the local elections in May.

He plans to run as an independent in the next election.

The party was founded by former Fine Gael rising star Lucinda Creighton just over four years ago in March 2015.

It subsequently collapsed nationally when none of its sitting three TD candidates or any other runners got elected in the General Election the following year.