A Roscommon councillor says the selection process to fill the late Anthony Waldron's seat was difficult for elected members.
Independent councillor Tom Crosby was speaking after Michael Holland Senior was co-opted onto the Council at a special meeting yesterday.
The Ballintubber man was one of four candidates who had put their names forward ahead of yesterday's vote after the Waldron family had given him their support.
He received the backing of the 12-member alliance as well as Independent councillor Micheál Frain and was officially ratified.
Ballintubber woman Gail Murray was backed by Cllrs Valerie Byrne, Leah Cull and Tony Ward while Athlone's Ernie Draper received no votes.
Mairead Kenny had previously withdrawn from the selection process.
Cllr Crosby says he knows Gail Murray well and it was a difficult decision to back one candidate:
He believes Gail Murray could be a future candidate in local elections:
