Tynan puts name forward for council seat

A fifth candidate has entered the race to fill the seat on Westmeath County Council following the resignation of Jamie Moran.

John Tynan, secretary of the Athlone Access Awareness group, said he had decided to put his name forward.

On a post on his Facebook page, he said: "After some reflection and counsel from friends I have decided to put my name forward for the vacant Council seat with Westmeath County Council. My letter stating this will be submitted to the local council offices on Monday morning.

"I feel it's not necessary to put up a profile of my accomplishments as I am well known to the people of Athlone and surrounding District.

"Thank you people of Athlone and Westmeath."

His entry to the race follows the expressions of interest from former Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, former councillor Paul Hogan, Athlone Community Radio manager Irena Cvetkovic and teacher Sarah Seoige.

However, Padraig Hegarty, who contested the local election for Sinn Fein in 2019, has ruled himself out.

In a post on his Facebook page he said:

"Having watched the council debacle, I have been taken aback by what has unfolded. Normally, when a councillor who stepped down duly nominates a replacement then the process is that the nominated replacement is co-opted.

"I have been asked whether I'm putting myself forward by many local residents and businesses in the recent week, but this simple answer is ‘no’. The fairest way to fill such vacancies would be to hold a by-election as expressed by countless people this past week, but this is not provided for under current structures, so it has to be a co-option.

"If I opt to represent people at local Council level and receive a nomination I will do so by contesting a local election and seek a democratic mandate. However, In the meantime my focus is my young family and work, I will continue to work at community level as I have done so for many years."