His decision sparked frantic, last-minute discussions with Independent councillor Tom McDonnell, who had nominated Steen alongside O’Loughlin and Fianna Fáil’s Noel Heavey.
Fianna Fáil councillor Brian O’Loughlin says he could not support Maria Steen’s presidential nomination at Kildare County Council - citing her views on LGBT rights, abortion and divorce as the reasons he withdrew his backing minutes before the scheduled vote.
O’Loughlin told Kfm that nominating Steen for consideration did not commit him to supporting her in the final vote. “I’m pro-choice and I disagree with her views,” he said. "My support was never guaranteed.”
His decision is understood to have sparked frantic, last-minute discussions with Independent councillor Tom McDonnell, who had nominated Steen alongside O’Loughlin and Fianna Fáil’s Noel Heavey.
McDonnell admitted he was roughly three minutes late to the 2 p.m. meeting after “pleading” with O’Loughlin outside to maintain his support.
The delay meant McDonnell was not present to propose the motion when the vote was called, and the proposal was dropped.
Cllr O' Loughlin was also late to the vote.
McDonnell, who shares some of Steen's conservative views, described the outcome as “a blow to democracy” and claimed Fianna Fáil “dropped” the motion to avoid embarrassment.
But Fianna Fáil councillor Donna Phelan said the rules were clear: “Everyone waited. The meeting was called specifically to vote at 2 p.m. If the proposer isn’t in the room or online, the motion falls. That’s exactly what happened.”
Sources present said some councillors were “in shock” as the vote dissolved without a vote.
Cllr O'Loughlin said he stands over his "convictions" and that he did not "flip-flop" on the issue.
He said he made "it clear" from the very start that he would not be supporting Steen.
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