Letterkenny solicitor Dessie Shiels has been ordered to pay Donegal County Council’s court costs after taking a failed case against the local authority.
Cllr Michael McBride said he feels 'vindicated' after court decision
Mr Shiels had challenged the co-option of Michael McBride onto Donegal County Council in place of Senator Jimmy Harte.
He claimed Mr McBride was a Labour candidate or nominee and as Senator Harte had been elected as an independent candidate, the co-option was illegal.
Judge Elizabeth Dunne previously found there was no evidence that Mr. McBride was a member or candidate of the Labour Party when he was co-opted.
She adjourned the case until today when Mr Shiels applied to have his costs paid as he claimed he had taken the case in the public interest.
However, Judge Dunne ruled against this and ordered that Mr Shiels also pay Donegal County Council’s costs.
A final costing has not yet been revealed for the case.
Reacting to the news, Cllr McBride told Donegal Daily he did not wish to make a political football of the case.
“I am just glad this is over and that I am now finally vindicated and get on with my work as a local councillor,” he said.
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