Way clear for Keogan co-option to county council

Former Fianna Fail activist Sharon Keogan is likely to have a clear run next Monday when her name is proposed to fill the vacancy on Meath County Council created by the resignation of her partner, independent councillor, Seamus O'Neill. It is customary for independent councillors to nominate a person to take over from them at the time of their election, should they resign during their term. Ms Keogan's name was lodged in a sealed envelope in a Meath County Council safe shortly after the last local elections in 2009. The Duleek-based woman will be entitled to be co-opted to the council as a result of the casual vacancy created by Mr O'Neill, who was a non-party candidate at the date of the election. She also signed the form of consent. Independent Cllr Francis Deane, a member of the 'technical group' of independents on the council, comprising himself and Cllrs Joe Reilly, Jimmy Cudden and Brian Fitzgerald, said yesterday (Tuesday) that, provided the protocol was correct, he would have no objection in proposing Ms Keogan to fill the vacancy. Cllr Deane said he was still checking details of the co-option procedure this week.