Row after Cork co-option

A ROW flared last night after a man running for election to the Seanad was co-opted onto Cork City Council to fill a seat left vacant following the recent death of a popular Independent local politician.

Former Fine Gael Cllr Joe O’Callaghan, who lost his seat at the last local elections, was co-opted onto the council to fill the seat left vacant by the death just over two weeks ago of Independent councillor, Dave McCarthy.

Despite Fianna Fáil attempts to defer the filling of the vacancy, meetings administrator Paul Moynihan told the council that it was legally entitled to proceed last night.