A Green Party councillor at the centre of a controversy since her missing vote paved the way for a contentious rezoning decision yesterday began an attempt to block the move.
Florence Doherty paid up outstanding rates on her pub business - a debt that threatened to have her barred from Bundoran Town Council - and started a petition against the rezoning process.
She said she missed the vital council meeting in the Co Donegal resort last week because she was held up collecting her new-born grandson from Sligo General Hospital 22 miles away.
The five members who attended the meeting split 3-2 in favour of rezoning coastal conservation land for housing.
The land is owned by prominent hotelier Brian McEniff. His niece Elizabeth McIntyre and his brother-in-law Philip McGlynn, Fianna Fáil members of the council, backed the motion. It was also supported by Sinn Féin councillor Michael McMahon.
The other two councillors at the meeting, Fianna Fáil's Tiernan Brady and Fine Gael's Denise Connolly, voted against.
The decision meant the rezoning plans could be put to public consultation - the first of a series of steps towards final approval to build houses on the land, which is part of an 8km scenic cliff walk.
Ms Doherty's absence sparked local speculation. She would have been expected to oppose rezoning. Mr Brady's casting vote as chairman would then have ensured defeat of the motion.
The same meeting voted unanimously to bar any member who had not paid their business rates.
Members of the council heard that Ms Doherty, who owns the Palace Bar with her husband Tom McNulty, had only paid part of €7,000 rates due and had refused to pay the remainder.
After paying the outstanding amount yesterday, Ms Doherty said she was against the rezoning, and was starting a public petition.
She said she missed the meeting because there was a three-hour delay by the hospital in discharging her grandson.