The Labour Party has lost another member this afternoon.
Meath County Councillor Jenny McHugh is leaving the party to join Fianna Fail.
The mother-of-seven, who is a primary school principal, says she cannot support Labour's stance on education.
Her departure comes only hours after one of the party's MEPs said she was also leaving the party.
The defection means some 17 councillors have left Labour since it entered government two years ago.
The news comes only hours after one of the party's three MEPs, Nessa Childers, said she was leaving the party.
Two of its TDs, Patrick NUlty and Colm Keaveney have also left the party in recent weeks, while another three members have dropped the party whip.
