Kilkenny councillor’s defection to Sinn Féin poses threat to Noonan: report

The defection of local councillor Denis Hynes from Labour to Sinn Féin poses a threat to Heritage Minister and Kilkenny TD Malcolm Noonan’s Dáil seat, a report today claims.

The article by veteran political correspondent John Drennan in today’s Irish Mail on Sunday suggests Cllr Hynes’ move to Sinn Féin is part of a wider move by the party to field second candidates in certain constituencies to transfer their huge suppost levels in the polls to extra Dáil seats in the next General Election.

In the last election local poll topper Kathleen Funchion has a surplus of 5,000 votes, which were crucial in helping to propel Malcom Noonan from seventh place after the first count into the Dáil.

If he decides to contest the next election Mr Noonan may struggle to retain his seat in the event of these transfers being hoovered up by a second Sinn Féin candidate in the consitituency.

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