‘Justice has been done’ says Boxer after council changes rulesWhen Cllr Kevin “Boxer” Moran (Ind) attempted to take up the seat left vacant following the resignation of his son Jamie (Ind) from Westmeath County Council at the end of 2021, he was thwarted by a council decision which saw members vote 12-6 to co-opt Independent and former Sinn Féin member Paul Hogan to fill the vacancy. Furious, Cllr Moran slated the move at the time as a “power grab for an independent seat by a government-driven combination of Fianna Fáil/Greens”. Cllr Leonard said that as a small party, the Labour Party stood for “democracy, equality and justice”. Cllr Leonard pointed out that in Dáil Éireann, if such a vacancy arises, then a by-election has to take place. “We cannot be seen to do something which is not in the interest of natural justice or fairness,” he said.

Source: Irish Independent July 04, 2024 16:37 UTC