Councillor at centre of racism row reinstated

Fine Gael has defended the reinstatement of a party councillor who was forced to resign for previously refusing to represent black Africans, saying he has “paid his price”.

The former mayor of Naas, Darren Scully, has been welcomed back into the Fine Gael fold for next year’s local elections and says he will now represent all parts of the community.

Party general secretary Tom Curran said the time had come to forgive Mr Scully and “move on”.