The resignation from Sinn Fein last weekend of one of its longest serving members in the midlands has caused surprise in political circles in Laois/Offaly.
Mr Joe Coughlan, who has been a party member and activist since 1966, was being talked about as a possible candidate for the party in the next elections.
Mr Coughlan, who was elected to Tullamore Urban District Council at the last local government elections, tendered his resignation last weekend. He told journalists that he is not leaving public life and will continue as an independent councillor for the foreseeable future.
He refused to elaborate on his reasons for leaving, saying he was just "going to go with the statement from Sinn Fein head office" which noted his resignation "with regret". "It is not a national policy difference. I support the Sinn Fein leadership in everything they are doing, the peace drive and Gerry Adams," he said. "The direction that the Sinn Fein leadership is going, I support that 100 per cent."
He said the issue was a local one and he might make a statement about it later.
"I am continuing to remain in politics. I have been involved in politics since 1966 when I first became involved in the republican movement. There is a long history there," he said.
"I am going to continue on as an independent and the issues I will be fighting on are the same as the ones that got me elected for the last year."
These issues were social ones, such as housing and better rented accommodation for the poor in Tullamore, he said. He added that the gap between himself and the local Sinn Fein cumann was very wide.