Fingal Councillor Keith Redmond defects from Fine Gael to Renua

A Fingal County Councillor has resigned from Fine Gael and joined Lucinda Creighton-led Renua.

Dentist Keith Redmond will be confirmed by Ms Creighton this morning as the party's candidate in the Dublin Fingal constituency.

Renua hopes to capitalise on the constituency becoming a five-seater and to take one of the Fine Gael seats held by Minister James Reilly or backbencher Alan Farrell.

Cllr Redmond co-founded think tank The Hibernia Forum, which warned against a giveaway Budget next week. The Forum says it is not affiliated with any political party, and is independent.

It has called for a flat rate of tax - which chimes with Renua's campaign for a 23% flat rate this week.

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Cllr Redmond made headlines earlier this year after he referred to those objecting to the The Sun's Page 3 topless shots as "feminazis".

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Cllr Redmond said Enda Kenny was "not exactly an inspirational leader…The vast majority of people would probably assume that he holds back the party and I think within Fine Gael, that would be a fair assessment."