Valerie Duffy has officially replaced John Naughten on Roscommon County Council.
The Moore woman beat Ger Grehan in a Fine Gael selection convention last Thursday and has been formally ratified at a council meeting this afternoon.
John Naughten died last October after over 20 years as a south Roscommon councillor.
Members of Valerie Duffy's family were in the public gallery to witness her co-option onto the council.
Her co-option was proposed by Fine Gael councillor Domnick Connolly, and seconded by his party colleague, Liam Callaghan.
She was then welcomed into her council seat by cathaoirleach, Paschal Fitzmaurice.
Several councillors welcomed her into the chamber, while noting the sadness of the occasion, given John's death.
Councillor Duffy says it was an emotional occasion for her in the council chamber today:
