BY MICHAEL BRESLIN

Erne West Sinn Fein Councillor, Póilín Uí Catháin has formally resigned her seat on Fermanagh District Council in protest at her Party's endorsement of policing and the criminal justice system in the North at its recent special Ard Fhéis.

Councillor Uí Catháin, who lives in Kinawley, was one of nine Sinn Fein representatives voted in at the May, 2005 elections, maintaining Sinn Fein's pre-eminence as the largest political grouping in the Council Chamber. The remaining 14 seats are occupied by - DUP (5), SDLP (5), and UUP (4).

Her decision to stand down, although she remains a member of her Party, now means that a special meeting of the Council will be convened to allow for a co-opted member. However, if even one Councillor dissents, then a by-election will be called to fill the vacancy in Erne West.

Speaking on behalf of the remaining eight Sinn Fein Councillors, Brian McCaffrey noted that Councillor Uí Catháin had been 'up front and honest' about where she stood.

He went on: "I respect her point of view on it. She has been very much an asset to the Party in the time she represented Erne West as a Councillor. She has been very capable and very efficient and, on my own behalf and on behalf of the rest of the (Sinn Fein) Councillors, we are sorry to see her going. But, ultimately, I think we have to respect her right to hold that view".

Councillor Uí Catháin, in the following statement, set out her reason for tendering her resignation: 'Following the recent decision at the Sinn Fein special Ard Fheis regarding support for the PSNI and the criminal justice system in the Six Counties, I have regretfully decided to tender my resignation from my position as Councillor.

'While I accept that the (Ard Fheis) decision was democratically taken and supported by the overwhelming majority of delegates, I find myself unable to fully support this change of Party policy, hence my decision to resign.

'In my short time as Councillor, I found the work both interesting and enjoyable and I was privileged to work on behalf of the Erne West electorate who voted me into the position two years ago. I thank them for that.

'I believe I gave as strong a voice as possible on their behalf, especially on issues such as community and economic development and planning. One of my proudest moments during my term on the Council was my involvement in the motion calling for support for a united Ireland. I hope this day will come!

'I sincerely hope that my reservations regarding Sinn Fein's support for the PSNI will be proven wrong. I believe that this decision is now irreversible, therefore, while I can afford to be wrong, I don't believe that Sinn Fein has that luxury'.

Up until her resignation, Erne West was served by five Councillors, three Sinn Fein, one UUP and one SDLP. So, if a co-opted member is put forward by Sinn Fein is objected to and a by-election called, the seat will remain a safe one.

A spokesman for the Townhall confirmed that it had received Councillor Uí Cathain's resignation letter, and that the machinery would now be put in motion informing the remaining 22 Councillors of a special meeting, probably on 15th march, to determine if they could agree a co-opted member.

"If they agree to co-opt at that meeting, a person will be co-opted and, if they don't agree to co-opt, then it will mean a Council by-election. The legislation requires that the Clerk give every member of the Council not less than seven days' written notice of the meeting.