Sinn Fein’s Cllr Johnny Mythen, Cllr Mick Roche, Cllr Fionntain O’, Cllr Anthony Kelly arriving to the Council Chambers for the first meeting of the new County Council. Pic: Jim Campbell

DESPITE ALMOST topping the poll at the recent local elections, Cllr. Johnny Mythen appeared to be ignored at the first meeting of councillors due to party politics.

The Enniscorthy man was evidently disappointed speaking with The Echo following the first meeting of the new-look Wexford County Council meeting, after his Sinn Fein party was shunned by a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael/Labour coalition.

Cllr. Mythen was put forward for the role of Cathaoirleach, but lost to Gorey’s Cllr. Malcolm Byrne by a landslide vote – with just seven Sinn Fein and Independent councillors backing him.

He also lost out in the battle for three committee seats, and although he was elected to the Protocol Committee, his frustration was clear to see.

The Echo Newspaper team who covered the first meeting of the new council pictured in the Council Chambers. (l to r)- Jim Campbell (photographer), Brendan Keane (New Ross district), Niamh Devereux (Enniscorthy district), Saoirse McGarrigle (Wexford district), Dan Walsh (Gorey district).

He claimed the ‘cosy junta’ made a farce of democracy, and called on the council to adopt the d’hondt system where possible in the future to respect the wishes of the electorate.

“I’m disappointed I didn’t get onto the Economic Development, Enterprise & Planning SPC,” he told The Echo. “I have experience working on enterprise in Enniscorthy and it is an area I have a lot of passion for. But I didn’t stand a chance.”

Full meeting coverage in this week’s Echo.