BREAKING: Limerick councillor confirms immediate departure from Sinn Fein party

SINN Féin is down to two members on Limerick City and County Council after one of its councillors resigned.

In a brief statement released this Tuesday, City East councillor Ursula Gavan said she had made the decision over the Christmas and New Year period.

“After careful reflection I have reluctantly decided I can no longer remain a member of Sinn Féin. I am therefore resigning with immediate effect,” she confirmed.

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Cllr Gavan (pictured below) confirmed she would continue to represent Limerick City East as an Independent member.

The move means Sinn Fein has just two members on the local authority: Cllr Sharon Benson on the city’s northside and Cllr PJ Carey in Cappamore-Kilmallock.

Cllr Gavan, the wife of outgoing Sinn Fein Senator Paul Gavan, caused something of a surprise when she took the final position in the seven seat City East ward at last summer’s local election.

At the time, she admitted she was not expecting to be returned to represent Castleconnell, where she lives. Originally she hails from Kildimo.

Her decision to resign from Sinn Fein is related to a decision the party made to leave her husband - elected to the Seanad twice in a row - off its ticket for the Upper House this time.

Although Mr Gavan could have still ran as he had a union nomination, he announced that he would not be actively contesting the election, counting on which takes place next week.

The outgoing Senator insisted at the time that he would remain a member of Sinn Fein, having served the party for 20 years.

But his wife's resignation means he could change tack.

Ms Gavan told Live95FM news that her loyalty must remain with her family.

"I was hugely disappointed by my party to drop my husband from the Sinn Fein ticket for the Seanad election that is due to take place on Thursday. The party originally had a policy where they were going to have a permanent Sinn Fein team of which Paul was a member," she said.

"I was stuck then in a rock and hard place and my loyalty is to my family first as opposed to the political party. It would be very hard for me to continue working with the party when they have dropped him, unceremoniously I would say," she said.