Paul Hogan

BREAKING: Paul Hogan leaves Sinn Féin

SINN Féin Councillor Paul Hogan has left the party.

Mr Hogan, who is elected on the Athlone Municipal District of Westmeath County Council, announced today that “with a heavy heart” he has decided to "rescind" his membership of Sinn Féin “with immediate effect”.

“I will continue to represent the people who have elected me to the best of my ability,” said Mr Hogan.

He has been a member of Sinn Féin for the past 20 years, having first got involved with the party when he was just 15.

In the last general election in 2016, Mr Hogan won 5,270 first preferences, narrowly losing out on a seat in the four-seater Longford Westmeath constituency.

SEE MORE IN THIS WEEK'S WESTMEATH INDEPENDENT, OUT ON WEDNESDAY