A Co Armagh councillor has become the first elected member of Sinn Féin in the north to defect to recently established republican party Aontú.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) councillor Fergal Lennon is the second elected representative in the north to move over to the new party.
Last month Fermanagh and Omagh councillor Rosemarie Shields became the first SDLP councillor to join Aontú, which was set up by former Sinn Féin TD Peadar Tóibín.
Mr Lennon, who is a former Sinn Féin group leader at the ABC council, said: “The forthright honesty of the Aontú leadership impressed me and I believe this fresh political party offers a real alternative for republicans who genuinely want to create a new republic that is diverse and accommodating of all our citizens,” he said.
Mr Tóibín last night said: "Fergal Lennon is exactly the calibre of public representative that Aontú is looking to attract as the party continues to develop and grow - a councillor that will bring about the most effective political representation for all the people of this island.”