When Cllr Mary Hoade chose to run in the Tuam ward, the race was on to find her replacement in Oranmore, a race made all the more urgent by a confident Fine Gael and resurgent Labour.
This week the party announced that it had chosen popular local man Malachy Noone to run in the five seat ward for the Local Elections.
The Claregalwayman is a founding member of the Claregalway No Name Club, is involved in the Claregalway Agricultural Show Committee, the Compantas Lir Drama Group, the Claregalway School Parents Association, and the Carnmore Hurling Club.
His priorities are to increase policing to tackle anti-social behaviour, improve traffic safety and traffic flow, and ensure that community and youth facilities are at the top of the political agenda.
He has personal experience of the rapid changes which have occurred in the area over the years and the challenges this has brought to the community. He has first-hand knowledge of the needs of the locality as he has volunteered for many organisations. This has given him a keen understanding of the real issues on the ground.
He is married to Julie and the couple have four children. If successful, Malachy will be a new voice on Galway County Council and he will bring the experience he has achieved within the community to the Council Chamber.
