A NEW Progressive Democrats councillor was last night installed on Dublin City Council just weeks before the party is to be officially disbanded.
Former local election candidate Tony Williams was co-opted to the city council to fill the seat left vacant by John Kenny, who was himself co-opted to replace Wendy Hederman but resigned on March 11th after little over a year on the council.
Mr Williams was nominated to the Pembroke/Rathmines ward of the council by Fine Gael group leader Gerry Breen and seconded by Fianna Fáil group leader Julia Carmichael. He was co-opted unopposed, but fellow members of the ward criticised his co-option so close to the June local elections.
Mr Williams will only have the opportunity to attend one more monthly council meeting before the local elections.
Labour councillor Dermot Lacey said he had no personal problem with Mr Williams but it was “hypocritical and disrespectful to the people of Pembroke and the electorate generally” for the PDs to field a candidate in “their dying days”.
Fine Gael councillor Paddy McCartan said the co-option was “somewhat incongruous given the demise of the PDs”.
Sinn Féin group leader Christy Burke began to raise similar concerns but was stopped by Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne, who said it was inappropriate to make such comments when a new councillor was being welcomed to the council.
Mr William ran for election in 2004. Although unsuccessful he had the distinction of being one of the biggest spenders in that election, spending €18,949 on his campaign.
