Merger row blow to Labour

The row about the merger with Democratic Left has cost the Labour Party two seats on Meath County Council. Former Labour TD Brian Fitzgerald, who was an outgoing member of the council, ran as an Independent and topped the poll in the Dunshaughlin electoral area, being elected on the first count with 1,658 votes. Mr Fitzgerald left the Labour Party as he was unhappy about the merger. A second prominent outgoing councillor, Mr Jimmy Cudden, who also left over the merger, held his seat as an Independent. None of the Labour candidates in Meath won a county council seat. Two outgoing Labour councillors decided to retire before the elections. Labour is now left with only two urban council representatives in Meath. Mr Tommy Grimes retained his seat in Kells and Mr Danny O'Brien won a seat in Trim. Sinn Fein won its first Meath County Council seat when Ms Jo Reilly was elected in the Navan electoral area.