There was an element of surprise and shock at the local election count for Athlone Town Council on Saturday last when Castlebar native and political newcomer Alan Shaw took home 455 first preference votes.
The Fine Gael candidate was a clear winner from early morning as the tally men diligently got to work making accurate predictions for the outcome. Shaw was eventually elected on the 13th and last count along with fellow Fine Gaeler Mark Cooney.
Shaw has been living in the Westmeath town for some 18 years since attending Athlone Institute of Technology. He comes from a strong Fine Gael family, his father Matt Shaw, is a former chairman of the Castlebar Fine Gael branch and is a personal friend of Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
Speaking to the Advertiser Shaw said that although he was now firmly based in the Midlands town he still looks to Castlebar for inspiration. “Athlone is my new home. I was born and reared in Castlebar but Athlone has been good to me and I’ve lived here since I did my Leaving Cert.
“I do keep in touch with the political scene in Castlebar and if I see they have any good ideas there I will impart them to Athlone Town Council.”
Shaw’s first function as a councillor will take place on Monday June 15 at the first AGM of the new town council year.
