A councillor who has resigned from Sinn Féin intends to sit on Galway County Council as an Independent despite the party wanting the seat back.
Martin McNamara was co-opted into the seat vacated by Louis O'Hara; who was elected as a TD for Galway East in December 2024.
Martin McNamara confirmed to RTÉ News that he will continue to represent the Athenry-Oranmore electoral area as an Independent councillor.
He declined to comment any further.
It is understood his resignation is linked to a decision by the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis last weekend to support a ban on fox hunting.
However, Deputy O'Hara is of the view that Mr McNamara should give the seat back to Sinn Féin.
"Martin was co-opted into my seat on Galway County Council in December 2024 after I was elected to the Dáil," he said.
"At that time, he signed a pledge that he would resign his membership of Galway County Council, should he leave Sinn Féin, to facilitate a new co-option."
"He doesn't have a mandate to a represent the area as an Independent councillor and I wish to express my disappointment that he has refused to honour the agreement made," he added.
The departure leaves Sinn Féin with just one seat out of 39 on Galway County Council.
Around half of the Athenry-Oranmore electroal area is in the Galway West Dáil constituency - where a bye-election is due to take place on 22 May to fill the seat vacated by President Catherine Connolly.
