Councillor `told he had forfeited seat'

A member of Kells Urban Council is expected to take legal action after he was allegedly removed from the council by an official of the authority.

Mr Brian Curran, an Independent member of the council, told The Irish Times yesterday that the Kells town clerk, Mr Bill Sweeney, had informed him he had forfeited his council seat because his commercial rates payments were late.

Mr Curran said he attempted to pay his rates on December 22nd and 28th last, but found the council offices closed.

He finally paid his rates on January 3rd, "less than 18 hours late".

Mr Curran alleges he was told that under the Local Government Act 1942, he could no longer perform his duties as a councillor.

If he attempted to do so he could be subjected to fines of up to £1,000.

He was subsequently advised by solicitor Mr Hugh Thornton that the 1942 Act had been repealed by the 1999 Local Government Act, which contained no such provision for the removal of a member of a local authority. Mr Curran said he was examining his legal options.

A spokeswoman for Mr Sweeney said all media inquiries were being directed to the Meath county secretary, Mr Kevin Stewart.

Mr Stewart was unavailable for comment yesterday.