SINN Fein's youngest female councillor has quit over what she was claims was "bullying within the party".
Lisa Marie Sheehy, a councillor in Limerick, announced on social media today that she was "resigning" from Sinn Féin.
The 23-year-old, who was first elected on the first count in 2014, said that she would continue as an independent councillor.
The Glenroe-based representative said she had been "plotted against" and "pushed out of the party" by members who "tried to break her down".
"I’m interested in getting things done in my area for the people who elected me and not engaging in bullyboy politics".
Ms Sheehy said: "I cannot stand behind a party that does not take its memberships’ valid concerns seriously. If we look back at the people who have left the party or decided not to run for re-election due to bullying within the party it's disheartening and disgraceful and Sinn Féin has not learned its lesson.
"I have no respect for the party any more as I have been undermined, bullied and humiliated," she said.
"I love my role in the community and I am very proud of my work thus far and I look forward to make a clean break from a hostile and toxic environment, I value my work and I have parked my feelings to the side for too long."
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty said that he was disappointed to hear the news of Ms Sheehy’s resignation, referring to her as a “very hard-working councillor”.
“There had been a preliminary inquiry, we did ask Lisa Marie to provide the allegations in written format but at that stage, she didn’t do that," he told the Today with Seán O’Rourke radio programme.
“It was shown from that inquiry that the claims could not be substantiated.”
