Former Sinn Fein Paul Hogan has been co-opted onto Westmeath County Council.
Former Sinn Fein and Independent cllr Paul Hogan has been co-opted onto Westmeath County Council.
He defeated Kevin 'Boxer' Moran in a vote of sitting representatives this afternoon.
Mr. Moran had been nominated, by his son Jamie who resigned his seat on the local authority earlier this month.
Paul Hogan received the support of 12 councillors during the vote, in what could be deemed a shock to those outside of the county.
Nine Fianna Fail members put their weight behind Mr. Hogan along with crucial support from both green party representatives and Fine Gael's Andrew Duncan.
The former OPW minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran received six votes from Independent Councillor Mick Dollard, both Labour representatives and three Fine Gael councillors.
Fine Gael's Emily Wallace was the sole abstention.
A heated debate took place beforehand - during which the process was described as a power grab for an independent seat by Labour's Denis Leonard.
He went on, along with Cllr Dollard, to question the overall process and motives of Fianna Fail in seeking a vote on the issue rather than a straightforward co-option, as is the norm with a casual vacancy.
Newly co-opted Cllr Hogan thanked members for their support and stated he looks forward to getting down to business.
'Naked Ambition And A Power Grab' - Kevin 'Boxer' Moran Reacts To Westmeath County Council Vote @westmeathcoco https://t.co/klscXBQv0c
— Midlands103 (@Midlands103) January 24, 2022
Plans Submitted For Westmeath Crematorium
Meteor Shower To Pass Over Ireland This Week
Irish Road Victims Association Call For Coroner Reforms
Progress Made On Delayed Redevelopment On Health Centre For Laois Town
Over €60k Awarded Across Midlands For Playground Improvements
Laois Retailer Retires After Five Decades in Business
Laois Mother Expresses Concern Over Lack of Ambulances In County
Court Of Appeal Reserve Judgement On Enoch Burke Case
Laois Farming Festival Announces Celebrity Chef Speaker
Broadcasting Levy 'Unaffordable' for Radio Sector
Midlands Detective Behind 'Bikegate' Never Given Chance To Speak Up - GRA
Man Accused of Causing Damage to Westmeath Garda Station Sent Forward For Trial
Aer Lingus To Serve Sustainable Offaly Snacks
Plans Lodged For 16 New Homes In Westmeath Town
Midlands Hospital Opens New Family And Dementia-Friendly Facilities
Public Invited To Have Say On €30m Hodson Bay Waterfront Plan
National Lottery Calls On Winners To Collect €500K
Laois Gardaí Arrest Driver "Fueled By Cocaine"
Midlands Gardai Suspension Story Given Standing Ovation At Conference
Newly Released Census Shows 500 People At Former Midlands Asylum