Fianna Fáil's branch in Dublin Central has passed a motion calling for a letter to be written to Bertie Ahern asking the former Taoiseach to rejoin the party.

The motion was passed unanimously by all members in attendance at tonight's meeting.

Chairman of Fianna Fáil in Dublin Central Brian Mohan says the move was about 'loyalty' to Mr Ahern.

He added that it would go some way to restoring unity to the party in the capital.

According to sources, motion for #bertie was kick-started by two "women in their eighties" who want "loyalty" show to the former Taoiseach

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) November 29, 2016

Greeted with incredulity from some Fianna Fáil TDs I've spoken to so far... (2/2)

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) November 29, 2016

Mr Ahern officially resigned from the party in 2012 - four years after his resignation as Taoiseach - in the wake of the findings of the Mahon tribunal.

Following the publication of the report but prior to Mr Ahern's resignation, Michéal Martin said: "I will propose a motion to expel [Bertie Ahern] as a member of Fianna Fáil at the special meeting of National Executive.  We are writing to Mr Ahern to inform him of this decision."

He suggested "the findings of the Tribunal constitute conduct unbecoming a member of Fianna Fáil".

Writing in the Irish Times in 2012, Mr Ahern said: "I have tendered my resignation because I do not want a debate about me to become a source of division in Fianna Fáil.

"I am a resilient person and in public life you learn to take knocks, but I am deeply wounded by this tribunal report."

He added he would not accept the report findings "to my dying day".