Sinn Féin has temporarily lifted its expulsion of a councillor in Co Cork.

The expulsion of Kieran McCarthy has been lifted for 21 days to allow him to take part in an investigation of the financial affairs of its branch in Cobh.

The decision was made at a meeting of the party's Ard Comhairle at the weekend.

However it is not known whether Councillor McCarthy intends to cooperate with the inquiry.

Another councillor, Melissa Mullane, has been granted an appeal for her 12-month suspension from the party over the same issue.