Sinn Féin's Debbie McCole co-opted to Louth County Council

The Louth County Council December meeting saw Sinn Féin's Debbie McCole co-opted to the Council to fill the seat vacated by the outgoing Joanna Byrne.

Following a convention last week and subsequent ratification by Sinn Féin’s ruling body, the Ard Comhairle, Cllr Debbie McCole replaced Joanna Byrne on Louth County Council on Monday following her success in the General Election.

Cllr McCole is from Drogheda and has been working as a paramedic for the last 23 years and has said “it is frustrating to see at first-hand how people struggle to access the most basic of services and also see the consequences that can have in their lives."

Cllr McCole continued, "when Sinn Féin offered me this opportunity I jumped at it because I want to make people’s lives better. My husband and I, like everyone else, struggled at times raising our two daughters and some people are finding daily life hard.

"I know I am not going to solve those kind of problems at local council but I am looking forward to supporting Joanna Byrne TD as she continues to affect that badly needed change at national level."

She added, "I have been a member of the Boyne Fisherman’s Rescue and Recovery Service for over 12 years and have been involved in searches and recoveries all over Ireland. I am well used to fighting for people and I can add that determination and spirit to the Sinn Féin team in Drogheda and in Louth."