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
Westmeath Waste Facility Remains Temporarily Closed
Laois Man To Be Laid To Rest Friday
Laois Community Safety Partnership To Start January
Midlands Community Groups To Get Communication Grants
Offaly Community Shop Highlights Services
Offaly TD Urges Action On Student Accomodation
Laois County Council Urge Continued STEM EU Just Transition Funding
EU Set To Unveil Housing Package As Fiscal Rules Face Relaxation
Midlands Driving Instructor Calls For Mandatory Alcolock System
Westmeath Family Into Final Of Ireland's Fittest Family
Motion Calls For HSE Investigation Into Wind Turbine Noise Passed In Offaly
Irish Farmers Head To Brussels On Tractors To Protest EU Policies
Man Arrested Over Alleged Assault At Midlands Prison
Emergency Services Attend Westmeath Car Fire
Unanimous Vote Supports €20m Midlands Hospice Project
Drink Driving Rider Arrested After Illegal E-Scooter Seized In Offaly
Drug-Driving Surge Sparks Calls For Christmas Crackdown
Revenue Seize Over €243k In Contraband In The Midlands
Midlands Hospice Planning Application Passed By Offaly County Council