A Fianna Fáil councillor who was denied a place on the party's general election ticket earlier this year has quit his place on Dublin City Council, it has emerged.
The resignation of Garry Keegan, who represented the southeast inner-city ward, could pave the way for the return to the council of former councillor Chris Andrews, who is running for the Dáil. In March, Mr Andrews and Rathmines-based barrister Jim O'Callaghan were chosen to represent Fianna Fáil in Dublin South East, despite competition from Mr Keegan, Senator Mary White and Senator John Hanafin.
Explaining his decision last night, Mr Keegan he said resigned because he had wanted to run for the Dáil and did not want to stay in local politics unless he had a chance of becoming a TD. "I have been involved for 15 or 16 years and I have been a councillor for six. I wanted the opportunity to run for the Dáil. I did not want to go on slaving away for another six years with a chance, maybe, of running," he said.
Mr Keegan's seat will have to be filled by Fianna Fáil members of the council, though it is highly likely that Mr Andrews will take the position.
