Crossword Genius

County needs magistrate, right away (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mayo

'county' is the definition.
(county of Ireland)

'magistrate right away' is the wordplay.
'magistrate' becomes 'mayor' (I have seen 'Chief magistrate ' mean 'mayor' so perhaps 'magistrate' could also mean 'mayor').
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'away' suggests deleting specific letters.
'mayor' with 'r' removed is 'MAYO'.

'needs' is the link.

(Other definitions for mayo that I've seen before include "You'll find it in the Emerald Isle" , "County of north-west Ireland" , "Irish county; dressing" , "Saucy thing" , "Irish county (county town, Castlebar)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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