McKenna sixth in Greens’ poll

DEFEATED Green Party leadership contender Patricia McKenna came sixth in a ballot of Green Party councillors on who should obtain a Seanad nomination, it emerged yesterday.

In a “preferendum” last week, which involved 19 councillors, Wicklow-based councillor Deirdre de Burca emerged as the preferred candidate to secure one of the Taoiseach’s nominations alongside Dan Boyle who lost his seat in the recent General Election.

Ms de Burca finished first ahead of former Mayor of Galway Niall Ó Brolcháin, Louth’s Cllr Mark Deary, Dublin South Central’s Cllr Tony McDermott and leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland Dr John Barry.