Sinn Fein caused a surprise in local authority circles yesterday when the party took the same number of seats as Fine Gael on Monaghan County Council. Sinn Fein captured six seats in the four electoral areas, trebling its strength. Previously only sitting TD Caoimhghin O Caolain and Mr Brian McKenna had council seats in Monaghan.
The party has claimed a third seat in the north of the county and additional seats in Carrickmacross, Castleblayney and Clones electoral areas. Newly-elected Sinn Fein councillor Noel Keelan said: "We believe it was our interest in local issues which helped".
