Independent councillors Laurence Fallon, Emer Kelly and Tom Crosby are on the brink of striking a deal with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for control of Roscommon County Council.
It comes ahead of the first meeting of the new council next week, after the local elections. In the last term of Roscommon County Council, there was a partnership between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Independent councillors Laurence Fallon and Tom Crosby. Talks are at an advanced stage for a similar arrangement this time, with one extra Independent. It's after the make-up of the local authority did not change considerably after the local elections. Fianna Fáil won five seats, Fine Gael won four, Sinn Fein and Independent Ireland both have one, and there are seven Independents. It's understood the new partnership is likely to involve Independent councillors Tom Crosby, Laurence Fallon and Emer Kelly. This would give them a clear majority of 12 to 6 in the council chamber. The first meeting of the council will take place next Friday, when the new cathaoirleach of the council will be chosen.
Under the new arrangement, it is likely Fianna Fáil, as the largest party, will hold the position first - meaning Sean Moylan, John Keogh, Larry Brennan, Paschal Fitzmaurice or Marty McDermott could become the first citizen of Roscommon next week.
