Smith co-opted as Fianna Fail reject their own candidate

Meath's Fianna Fail councillors were accused of sacrificing one of their own for "30 pieces of silver" when they failed to co-opt party member Lisa Mellor to the council on Monday.
At a sometimes chaotic and rowdy meeting, Fianna Fail voted against their own party member, in favour of Amanda Smith, who was the nomination of Cllr Sharon Keogan.
Amid heated exchanges, Fine Gael members actually voted for the Fianna Fail woman who was next in line for a seat in Ashbourne in the recent local elections.
Cllr Gerry O'Connor said it was the fair and democratic thing to do and warned councillors their "integrity was on the line."
The council were voting to fill the vacancy created by Cllr Keogan's election to two electoral areas - Laytown /Bettystown and Ashbourne.
The Independent councillor opted to take her seat in Laytown Bettystown, leaving the Ashbourne seat vacant.
At Monday's meeting she proposed Amanda Smith with the backing of Fianna Fail councillors and Independents, Francis Deane, Brian Fitzgerald, Nick killian, David Gilroy, Gillian Toole and Trevor Golden, as well as Labour's, Annie Hoey.
This is part of a voting pact, which sees the role of Cathaoirleach and other positions within the council carved up among pact members.
The Fine Gael and Sinn Fein councillors, Independents Joe Bonner and Alan Lawes and Social Democrat, Ronan Moore voted for Lisa Mellor.
Following her co option, Cllr Smith said she was delighted.
"I am looking forward to the role and to working alongside Cllr Keogan," she said.