Poll declared void over death of councillor

The local election count in Ballybay-Clones, Co Monaghan, is set to be declared null and void after the sudden death of sitting Owen Bannigan.

Mr Bannigan, 51, died of a suspected heart attack on Friday evening. The father of five was a farmer and lived in Carrickatee and was a former Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council in 2004 to 2005.

The Ballybay-Clones district where he was contesting a seat is the largest of the three municipal districts in the Monaghan region and it is understood that although people in the region did vote on Friday, the count will be declared “null and void” and a future date for a local election in the region will have to be arranged.