MONAGHAN town councillor has resigned from Sinn Fein.
James Cunningham, a former mayor in Castleblayney, said he would retain his seat as an "independent republican."
"I am not making any statement on the matter but I will be continuing as a councillor pursuing a republican policy and representing all those who elected me," he said.
In his late forties and married with a grownup family, Mr Cunningham is originally from Co Armagh.