Laura Swift making her way into her first Council meeting in March.

LAURA Swift, the Green Party member who was co-opted on to the Council after Marc O’Cathasaigh was elected to Dail Eireann, has resigned her seat, just two months after taking it. News of her resignation was passed on to councillors today.

Swift, a solicitor and part time mediator said at the time of her co-option that she “welcomed the opportunity to work with other councillors to promote issues in Waterford that would enhance the living experience of the people who live here”.

In a letter to the party, Laura said

“When Marc Ó Cathasaigh was elected to the Dáil in February I was delighted to be selected to take his place on Waterford City & County Council. In the last week I have been informed by my employer that due to my work in the Family Mediation Service I am not eligible to also work as a County Councillor. At the time that I agreed to go forward as a Councillor I was not aware of this stipulation. I am disappointed at this turn of events. I am grateful to the Green Party for having given me this opportunity. I have no doubt that they will choose an excellent candidate to fill the vacancy. I wish them the very best. It is a challenging though rewarding job. I would also like to thank the people in the Council: both the other Councillors and the administrative staff who were welcoming and helpful. They are doing a good job, in difficult times and long may it continue.”

The Green Party thanked Laura “most sincerely for her dedicated service and we share her disappointment that she is not able to continue in her role” and said that they would “move promptly to fill her vacancy on the Council so as to ensure continuity of our strong Green presence at the Council”.