Sinn Fein’s Morgan resigns from council

July 2003

SINN Féin TD Arthur Morgan resigns from Louth county council in line with party policy and in keeping with the terms of the Local Government Bill.

A new Act abolishes the dual mandate under which TDs and Senators could be members of local authorities, while also serving in the Oireachtas.

Deputy Morgan makes an announcement at a council meeting. His resignation is effective from 15 August next.

Elected to Louth county council in 1999, he recalls controversy and acrimony during his tenure and singles out the incineration debate which he believes brings an acute awareness of the waste management issue.

He expresses disappointment at what he describes as the erosion of local authority power and notes the manager can over-rule councillors.

He feels the council is losing its public service dimension but there is still an important role ahead.

While there had never been more than one Sinn Féin member of Louth county council, Mr Morgan is sure his replacement will be part of a team in the future.

Fellow councillors join in extending the Omeath man best wishes with many predictions of a bright career ahead.

However, he replies he has no major political ambitions outside Irish freedom and the Good Friday Agreement.

Secondary school teacher Tomás Sharkey (27) from Kilkerley is chosen to replace Mr Morgan on the county council.

At an election convention in the Clanbrassil Hotel the successful candidate is proposed by Cllr Sean Kenna and seconded by Jim Loughran, chairperson of the Sean Campbell Cumann, North Louth.