Shane Cassells elected to FF Ard Comhairle

Meath county councillor Shane Cassells was last week elected to the Fianna Fail Ard Chomhairle to fill one of four vacancies reserved for representatives of councillors. Following the local elections four seats, which are reserved for councillors' representatives, became vacant on the executive. In a poll of over 100 councillors in Leinster, Cllr Cassells contested the seat, along with representatives from Kildare, Carlow and Wicklow. With Taoiseach Brian Cowen as president, the national executive is the highest controlling body of the party outside of the ard fheis. Counting of ballot papers took place in Leinster House on Wednesday night of last week and Cllr Cassells was elected to the seat on the third count. Afterwards, the Navan councillor spoke of his pride in being elected to the ard chomhairle and said he would work hard to improve the organisation and increase membership in County Meath. Cllr Cassells attended his first meeting of the executive on Thursday night where the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance briefed delegates on the challenges facing the Government and the country in the upcoming budget.