A Waterford Councillor has retaken her seat on the local authority after a year-long break.
Mary Roche was co-opted on to Waterford City and County Council last night, taking the seat of Deputy Matt Shanahan who replaced her in January of last year.
Councillor Roche says she stepped down initially for family reasons.
She said people understand that she left the council because her mum was very ill and her father had just passed away. Her mother is being cared for in a nursing home and being
very well looked after.
Laura Swift also took her seat in City Hall, replacing Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh of the Green Party.
Councillor Roche says it's great to have more women on the council. She says it's always good to keep the balance there and she hopes she can make a valuable contribution
over the next four years.
