FIANNA FáIL has yet to decide if it will allow a sitting councillor who was named in court as a beneficiary of bribes from Frank Dunlop to run for the party in the 5 June local elections.

Strategists in party headquarters on Dublin's Mount St have a major dilemma on their hands as they contemplate the political future of veteran councillor Tony Fox.

Sources from all parties in the area believe that Fox is certain to be re-elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council as he has a strong reputation as a dedicated worker for the people of Dundrum. However, Fox was named in court proceedings last November when former government press secretary Frank Dunlop appeared at Dublin District court to face 16 charges of corruption.

Dunlop has pleaded guilty to the charges of making
corrupt payments to a number of members of Dublin City Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown county council between 1992 and 1997.

A CAB detective told Judge Cormac Dunne during the hearing last November that Dunlop had told gardaí on the day he was charged: "We always knew this day was coming and I will not be contesting the charges."

Fox was named in five of the 16 charges and Sean Gilbride, Jack Larkin, Cyril Gallagher, Tom Hand, Don Lydon, Colm McGrath, and Liam Cosgrave.

Dunlop's trial is expected to take place in the coming months ahead of the local elections and as he has already pleaded guilty to the charge it could pose difficulties for the party if Fox is on their local election ticket.

All FF candidates for the Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown county council area have been selected with the exception of the Dundrum ward that Fox represents.

Fox was unavailable for comment when contacted but a party spokeswoman told the Sunday Tribune: "The party has yet to initiate the candidate selection process in this Local Electoral Area."