SF lose another Dublin councillor

Sinn Fein's progress has stalled in the Republic

A Sinn Fein councillor in Dublin said she resigned from the party because it had moved away from its "core republican values".

Louise Minihan had represented the Ballyfermot area since 2007.

She accused her former party of "taking the wrong position on a whole range of national, social and economic issues".

Last month veteran Sinn Fein Dublin councillor Christy Burke also left the party.

Earlier this month one of Sinn Fein's rising stars warned that the party "means nothing" to the bulk of people in the Republic.

Kerry councillor Toireasa Ferris, who is tipped to be a future TD, said that the party needs to rethink its strategy in the Republic if it is to build on its current base.

"After more than a decade working for the party down this end of the country, it hurts to say it but the fact is - Sinn Fein simply means nothing to the bulk of people," she said.