In what is seen as a unique development within the local election spectrum, Deputy Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has launched his team of Independent Councillors to contest polling day on May 24.
Jamie Moran, son of the present Minister of State, will have his name on the ballot paper, together with sitting Councillors, Paul Hogan and Michael O’Brien, both of whom will be seeking re-election to the Council chambers.
The three candidates will contest the Athlone local elections, with Cllr. Michael O’Brien contesting the Moate electoral area also.
Speaking this week to the Athlone Advertiser, Deputy Moran acknowledged the strong working ethos of the two sitting Councillors, while praising his son’s decision to take that initial step into the political sphere.
“Cllr. Paul Hogan has vast experience, being first elected on to Athlone Town Council in 2004 and I have always worked extremely well with him during my time as a Councillor and now as Minister of State. We speak regularly on both local and national issues and how best we can address the relevant issues at hand.
“Cllr. Michael O’Brien is also a young, hard working Councillor who has served the people of Athlone and Moate with great purpose since his election in 2014.
“Offering fresh ideas and youthful exuberance, my son Jamie has made the big decision to enter the local political scene and we will be fully supportive of him on the canvass prior to polling day,” Deputy Moran commented.
The Deputy noted that his team will work as a cohesive unit with the enhancement of Athlone a major focus on the campaign trail.
“The aim must be to achieve city status for Athlone, it being nominated as a growth centre under the National Framework Plan 2040. The present team of Councillors have worked with a purpose with the enhanced streetscape thoroughfare in the centre of town a credit to their unified decision making,” the Deputy added.
Stating that he was looking forward to the challenge in the weeks ahead, Deputy Moran called on the people of Athlone to come out in support of his team.
“These three Councillors are young, vibrant and enthusiastic and if elected, will work across political party divides to ensure that the town of Athlone and the people therein is represented and developed in a manner fiiting of its growth status,” Deputy Moran concluded.
