A Cork City Councillor who resigned from the Green Party 18 months ago in protest at budget cuts has joined Sinn Féin.
Chris O'Leary, 50, has been a member of Cork City Council since 2002.
He contested the European elections for the Green Party in 2004 but failed to get elected.
He has sat as an Independent Councillor since his resignation from the Greens.
His move to Sinn Féin will bring that party's representation on Cork City Council to five, one fewer than Fianna Fáil.
Councillor O'Leary already has family connections with Sinn Féin.
