Entire SF Fermoy branch resigns from party
An entire branch of Sinn Féin has resigned from the party after the expulsion of one of its councillors.
The entire membership of the branch in Fermoy has quit, after the expulsion of Kieran McCarthy and suspension of Melissa Mullane.
In a statement, the Fermoy members said they held both of the councillors in high personal regard and could not accept what they saw as their "undemocratic" removal from Sinn Féin.
It is believed the mass resignation involves approximately 15 members.
The party has refused to comment on the reasons for the disciplinary measures, but said they are not related to the next election. They followed a review of the party's activity in Cork.
"We consider the action an affront to the democratic, socialist and republican ideals that the party stands for and would strongly urge the Sinn Fein leadership to revisit their decision and not stand in the way of the democratic process within the part," the statement said.
Councillor Kieran McCarthy is based in Cobh, while Melissa Mullane is from Mallow.
