Fine Gael ‘will go to war’ if Bailey runs as independent

The party threatens to put significant financial resources behind its own candidates in bid to ensure that she is ‘never seen again’ in politics

Fine Gael would pour significant resources into ensuring Maria Bailey doesn’t win a Dáil seat should she run as an independent, party sources have warned.

The Dún Laoghaire TD was deselected as a candidate for the next general election at a meeting of the party’s executive council on Thursday night following a recommendation by Taoiseach and party leader Leo Varadkar.

There has been intense speculation within both the party and the constituency as ...