Fine Gael to elect new council leader

THE most powerful party in the largest local authority in the country will go into conclave next Monday to elect a new leader.

Peter Kelly, the first openly gay county councillor in the country, has decided to stand down as Fine Gael leader in Cork County Council and is preparing to emigrate to New Zealand. The party holds 23 of the 48 council seats.

Two of the party’s stalwarts are set to contest the leadership, which will take place by secret ballot in County Hall next Monday. They are current deputy leader Kevin Murphy and businessman and auctioneer Michael Hegarty.