A MEETING of the Progressive Democrats' parliamentary party scheduled for Leinster House last night was postponed at short notice following the sudden death of a close friend and neighbour of Galway West TD Noel Grealish.
A PD spokesman said party leader Senator Ciarán Cannon called off the meeting as a "mark of respect". Sources said the meeting was likely to be rescheduled for next week.
The four members of the parliamentary party - Mr Cannon, Mr Grealish, Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney and Senator Fiona O'Malley - were due to discuss the Galway West TD's position in light of intense speculation that he was about to defect to Fianna Fáil. A meeting of the PD national executive is scheduled to take place this evening.
