Independent councillor for Fingal, Darren Jack Kelly, has joined Aontú, the second new councillor to join the party in 2026.
Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín, said the party was “delighted to announce another elected rep has joined us today” – adding it was “the 2nd councillor in 2 months”.
He said that the party was talking to four other elected representatives and hoped to announce another elected representative joining the party in March.
Cllr Kelly was supportive of a bid by presidential hopefuls to address Fingal council last September to lay out their case for a nomination.
He said he believed his move to Aontú “will allow me to deliver even more for the people I represent. Fingal is one of the fastest-growing and youngest regions in the country, yet we are still not receiving the transport, community and education infrastructure we urgently need. Our communities deserve a strong, consistent voice, both locally and nationally”.
“I look forward to working closely with Peadar Tóibín and the Aontú team, while continuing to stand up for local projects, local families and the future of Fingal East,” he added.
Last month, Cork County Councillor Peter O’Donoghue also announced he was joining Aontú, bringing the number of the party’s councillors to 10.
“I could see that Aontú was a party where its members are encouraged to think for themselves and speak their minds, are encouraged to challenge issues and be themselves. I could see that whilst Aontú had a very strong leader at its helm guiding the ship, in Peadar Tóibín, that it was really being led from the members on the ground, in the communities, at its grassroots. Aontú is a people powered party where the membership decide party policy,” he said.
“That it is a grassroots organisation is what is most important to me. We have too much top-down dictation in political Parties, at national government level and at European Government level, for too long. The only way to counteract this and to bring power back to the people, is through grassroots political organisations such as Aontú,” the Fermoy Councillor added.
This week, Cllr O’Donoghue queried why the Tricolour was not being flown on a daily basis over landmark buildings in Cork towns.
“Why are we ashamed to fly our own national flag in this country?” he said. “Last September I put forward a motion requesting the erection of a flagpole at Pearse Square, Fermoy and New Square, Mitchelstown with the purpose of flying the national flag every Council working day and for special events. We have heard nothing back and I would like an update in relation to that question.”
FIANNA FÁIL 100
Meanwhile, this week also saw Fianna Fáíl announce a series of events to commemorate 100 years since the part was founded.
“This was the only case in Europe of a revolutionary group achieving power democratically and then actually strengthening the democracy,” leader Micheál Martin said this week.
“During our commemoration of this centenary, we will take opportunities to highlight key achievements and especially bringing together members and supporters to remember great figures and great achievements.”