Shock as McShane resigns from Sinn Fein

SINN Fein is no longer the largest party on Moyle Council following the sudden resignation from the party of Cllr Paudie McShane.

The resignation sent shockwaves through local politics on Friday after the councillor sent out a statement to the media.

In the statement Cllr McShane only said he was resigning from Sinn Fein but did not say he was resigning his Council seat.

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But his loss to Sinn Fein means the party now has only three councillors in Moyle and is no longer the largest party on the 15 member Council.

Cllr McShane's statement read: "I, Councillor Padraig McShane, regretfully offer my resignation to Sinn Fein. This decision has not been taken lightly.

"This outcome follows certain allegations which have allegedly been linked to myself. I have informed my colleagues and have taken the decision upon myself to resign.

"My adjudication on this matter leads me to believe that those hostile elements within the media would use any allegation to attack my party and the job of work it has undertaken.

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"I fully endorse Sinn Fein strategy and policies. I look forward to next Thursday, where along with thousands of others, I will cast my vote for North Antrim candidate Daithi McKay. No further comment will be forthcoming," ended the statement.

The Times spoke to Cllr McShane on Monday but he did not wish to add to what was in the statement.

Asked if in the wake of resigning from Sinn Fein he would be resigning his actual Council seat he said: "No comment".

One of the leading Sinn Fein members on Moyle Council, Cllr Oliver McMullan, did not wish to comment on the situation when contacted by the Times on Monday.

If Cllr McShane stays on at the Council as an Independent it means the make-up is as follows: Independents - 4; DUP - 3; Sinn Fein - 3; SDLP - 3; Ulster Unionists - 2.

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