'Shafted' Bertie boss breaks party ranks; Ring fires first shot in Fianna Fail civil war by standing as independent.(Features)

Byline: John Lee POLITICAL EDITOR

ONE of Bertie Ahern's closest Fianna Fail supporters has decided to run as an independent in the local elections after he failed to be selected on the party ticket.

Niall Ring, one of Mr Ahern's 12 'ward bosses' in his Dublin Central constituency, announced his decision yesterday after he failed to be selected as a candidate despite 20 years' service to the party.

Mr Ring's move marks the public eruption of a simmering feud between Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his predecessor, Mr Ahern. Many of Mr Ahern's appointees to State bodies have not had their contracts renewed and last week, his brother, Noel, was dropped from …

'Shafted' Bertie boss breaks party ranks; Ring fires first shot in Fianna Fail civil war by standing as independent.(Features)

Byline: John Lee POLITICAL EDITOR

ONE of Bertie Ahern's closest Fianna Fail supporters has decided to run as an independent in the local elections after he failed to be selected on the party ticket.

Niall Ring, one of Mr Ahern's 12 'ward bosses' in his Dublin Central constituency, announced his decision yesterday after he failed to be selected as a candidate despite 20 years' service to the party.

Mr Ring's move marks the public eruption of a simmering feud between Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his predecessor, Mr Ahern. Many of Mr Ahern's appointees to State bodies have not had their contracts renewed and last week, his brother, Noel, was dropped from …