A FINE GAEL town councillor in Monaghan has resigned from the party, saying that the party stance on abortion ‘undermines her most personal beliefs’.

Yvonne Newell, who is a town councillor for Clones, read out a letter of resignation at yesterday’s meeting, saying that the passing of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act last year was “shocking”.

She said that she had left the party because of her “firm Catholic beliefs and my belief in God and therefore being answerable to only him”.

The law was passed last year, but Newell says that she delayed announcing her decision because of a grant application.

“The reason for my delay in this action has been a genuine desire to serve the people of the community who elected me.

“As there was an application in for a Youth Cafe in Clones, I felt obliged as a Fine Gael councillor to aid the process of making this application successful.”

Funding for that project of around €60,000 was awarded in December, which Newell says allows her to act.

“I am now ready to do as I have wished since August and will now serve the people as an independent candidate. I wish to send my dearest thanks to the Fine Gael as a party and organisation for enabling me the opportunity to serve my community.”

Cllr Newell could not be reached for further comment.

Read: The 29 councillors who have left the Labour Party over its role in government