Plans for a directly elected Mayor for Dublin have been scuppered this evening after Fingal councillors voted against holding a plebiscite.

Sixteen councillors voted against the proposal, while six voted in favour, and two councillors abstained.

All four councils in Dublin had to support the plebiscite for it to go ahead.

Last week Dublin City Councillors voted in favour of the plan, which would have seen Dubliners voting on whether or not they want a directly elected mayor, on the same day as the Local and European Elections - May 23rd.

Today South Dublin County Council and Dun Laoighre-Rathdown Council also gave their backing to the proposed plebiscite.

Despite the defeat in Fingal, the serving Lord Mayor of Dublin Oisin Quinn says the campaign to give citizens of the capital a say in the election of their Lord Mayor should continue...