Labour suffers defection in south Dublin

The Labour Party has suffered another pre-election blow after hearing that one of its councillors in south Dublin has defected to Fianna Fáil.

Mick Billane resigned from the Labour Party, claiming it no longer has concern for disadvantaged communities.

Mr Billane is the second Labour councillor to resign from the party within a month.

Fianna Fáil said his defection indicates that "people clearly believe that the Labour Party has gone corporate and is no longer representing communities".