A former Progressive Democrats councillor and general election candidate was formally accepted into Fine Gael membership last night by the party leader, Mr John Bruton.
Mr Derry Canty, a member of Cork County Council since 1991, pledged his "absolute commitment" to Fine Gael. He had been passed over as a PD candidate in the June general election. His defection gives Fine Gael nine of the 20 seats in Cork city and county.