A source present at the meeting told Kfm that Cllrs are in shock.
Kfm understands that a vote for Maria Steen's presidential nomination at Kildare County Council did not go ahead because Independent Cllr Tom McDonnell was "three-and-a-half" minutes late.
It is also understood that Fianna Fail Cllr Brian O'Loughlin withdrew his support for Maria Steen at the last minute due to her views around LGBT issues, abortion and divorce.
A source present at the meeting told Kfm that Cllrs are in shock.
Speaking to Kfm, Cllr Tom McDonnell said he was approximately three minutes late.
He said he was outside trying to convince Fianna Fail's Brian O'Loughlin to support the motion and not withdraw his support.
It is understood that Cllr Brian O'Loughlin (FF) expressed reservations to Cllr McDonnell about Ms Steen's conservative views minutes before the vote.
Cllr McDonnell said the way events unfolded is a "blow to democracy".
Speaking to Kfm, he said he was "pleading" with Cllr Brian O'Loughlin at around 2pm to back Steen but he refused due to her views on a number of issues.
It is understood that the back and forth lasted about three minutes, resulting in both Cllrs being late to the vote.
Cllr McDonnell said he is a "christian" and agrees with some of Steen's conservative views.
He said he was well aware of Steen's views when he put her name forward.
Kildare Cllrs were expected to vote on Ms Steen's presidency bid at 2pm this afternoon, after she was nominated by Tom MCDonnell (Ind) and two Fianna Fail Cllrs, Brian O Loughlin and Noel Heavey.
Cllr McDonnell said he believes the motion was "dropped" because Fianna Fail were "embarrassed" that Cllr O'Loughlin was not present after he originally supported the motion to put Steen's name forward.
But councillors present at the meeting said the motion was not passed because McDonnell was not in the room at 2pm.
Cllr O'Loughlin told Kfm that just because he supported the original proposal did not mean he would support Steen's nomination.
He said he is "pro-choice" and does not agree with Steen's views.
He said he did not "flip-flop" by originally supporting Cllr McDonnell's proposal to nominate Steen and that his support was never guaranteed.
Cllr Donna Phelan (FF) told Kfm that there was no candidate selected because "Tom McDonnell wasn't on time for the meeting that was specifically called at 2pm just to vote on this".
She said McDonnell "proposed this candidate [Maria Steen]" and "everyone waited".
She said "you must be in attendance - in person or online" but McDonnell was not there to speak about the motion so "it fell and the meeting was over".
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