Penrose to rejoin Labour after 2 years as Independent

Former junior minister Willie Penrose has applied to rejoin the Labour Parliamentary Party, 23 months after he resigned the whip over the closure of Mullingar barracks.

News of the Longford- Meath TD’s decision came as Paula Desmond, one of the party’s longest-serving councillors on Cork County Council, announced that she is to resign her seat.

Ms Desmond, daughter of ex-MEP and health minister Eileen, who died in 2005, said she would not contest the next local elections.

The solicitor, who works as a family law mediator, said reaching the age of 50 had been “her crossroads” and, after 25 years on the council, she had decided she had done her share.

Ms Desmond acknowledged changes in electoral boundary areas would not have suited her campaign for re-election. However, she said it was time to hand over to new blood.

Noel McCarthy, acting leader of the Labour Party on Cork County Council, said the party would decide on Monday who takes over the role when it meets in County Hall.

Ms Desmond’s decision comes just over two weeks after fellow party councillor John Mulvihill said he was resigning his council seat with immediate effect.

Mr Mulvihill, a council member for 22 years, said he was disillusioned by repeated promises by successive governments to devolve more powers to local authorities.

The loss of stalwarts such as Ms Desmond and Mr Mulivhill adds to Labour’s woes at a time when the party’s support is 6%, its lowest level since 1987.