Fine Gael dropped plans to use Red Flag, a communications company being sued by Denis O’Brien, as a social media consultant for its general election campaign because of fears the continuing case could create adverse publicity.

The Times has learnt that Enda Kenny’s party was preparing to use Red Flag to oversee its social media strategy but decided against the move in October when Mr O’Brien’s case against the PR company went ahead in the High Court.

In December Garret Doyle, Red Flag’s chief operations officer, told the High Court in an affidavit that Mr O’Brien’s case against the company had resulted in the loss of “one significant and valuable project”. It is understood this was a reference to the arrangement with Fine Gael.

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