Labour row as senator appoints husband to fill seats

THE Labour Party has become embroiled in a political row after a newly elected senator nominated her husband to fill the seats she vacated on two local authorities.

Following controversy at Clonmel Borough Council on Tuesday night, Labour councillor Cyril O’Flaherty resigned from the party in protest.

However, Senator Phil Prendergast insisted yesterday that her husband Ray Prendergast would not be retaining the seats on the borough council and South Tipperary County Council. She said a new candidate would be nominated at a Labour Party convention next month.