Sinn Féin councillor resigns

A leading Sinn Féin member of Dublin City Council has resigned his seat, the party confirmed tonight.

Nicky Kehoe, 51, narrowly missed taking a Dáil seat in the 2002 General Election before making way for Mary Lou McDonald, who was unsuccessful as a candidate in Dublin Central in last May’s contest.

A spokeswoman for the party said he was the fifth Sinn Féin councillor to resign for personal reasons since 2004 and is the 16th member of the 52 person Dublin council to bow out.

He is reported to have taken the decision for personal family reasons and to allow for younger members in the party to come through.

It comes just days after Cllr Felix Gallagher, another of the party’s high-profile councillors and a General Election candidate in West Dublin, resigned his Fingal County Council seat.

He polled 1,624 first preference votes in the general election for Dublin West in May.

Mr Gallagher said: “I’ve met so many great people throughout my time as councillor and it was an honour to represent them as a councillor on Fingal County Council.”

Sinn Fein’s Dublin chairperson Michael Carr said: “His work rate was second to none.

“We very much regret his decision but are mindful of his family commitments.”

Sinn Féin is to select candidates to fill both vacant seats.

Both men are to remain in the party.