Fianna Fáil is trying to recoup thousands of euro from a councillor who resigned from the party on Thursday.

The party is looking to get €17,000 back from councillor David McGuinness, who quit the party yesterday.

“The funding that David was given in the last couple of years was effectively to develop the party within the Dublin-West area,” said Fianna Fáil spokesperson for Dublin, Darragh O’Brien.

“And I think the party is right to look at avenues of securing the return of that funding, frankly.

“That money wasn’t for David McGuiness, it was to develop the organisation within Dublin West, so if the money hasn’t been used for that the party are right to look at other avenues to seek its return,” he added.

When asked about the party’s claim that it would seek to retrieve the funds, McGuinness said the money had been spent on promotional materials, such as leaflets.

"I am not interested in threats the party might want to make. I don't think they are as naive as to think they can get it back," he told The Herald.

Along with the cash, the party is also seeking to retrieve some IT equipment it had supplied to Mr McGuinness.

Mr McGuiness says he spent the money on leaflets and other promotional material - and there is no way he can return it.

Mr McGuinness quit the party on Thursday afternoon, saying there is, “a crisis of confidence in this country with regard to politics and Fianna Fáil has done nothing to rebuild the trust of the people across the communities of this country.”

Mr McGuinness had contested the party nomination in the General Election but lost out to Jack Chambers.

He is now serving as an Independent Councillor for Dublin West.