Dolan to seek Whelan's council seat

Former Fine Gael county councillor John Dolan has said this week he will be contesting the upcoming co-option convention of the South Westmeath district of the party after Moate Cllr Joe Whelan announced on Monday he would be retiring from politics. Mr Dolan, from Castledaly, who served as a county councillor for over 18 months before losing out at the 2009 local elections, said: "I'm definitely going to contest it, without a doubt. I definitely will have an interest in it. I think I'd be well placed geographically to replace Joe." He added that he had run in the most recent local election and had received a fairly strong vote. Mr Dolan added: "I would be hopeful that my work record and how I performed as a councillor last time will stand to me at convention." He said he still does a lot of work on the ground and despite not being a councillor at present receives a lot of calls from people. Athlone town councillor Alan Shaw said this week he has not decided whether he will contest the convention for Cllr Whelan's replacement, but said it is something he is considering. "I'm giving it some consideration. I haven't made up my mind. I have to consult with members of the party and my family," he told the Westmeath Independent. He said he would aspire to progress his political career and running for the Athlone Area of Westmeath County Council was something he would have anticipated presenting itself for the 2014 local elections, but now that it has presented itself early he will have to give it some consideration. It is likely the convention to decide Cllr Whelan's replacement will be held in mid-September and his replacement will be decided by the members of the South Westmeath district of the party. All members will have a vote and anyone who is a member of the party in the district could contest the convention, although Mr Dolan and Cllr Shaw are the most likely contenders. The South Westmeath district is made up of branches in Athlone, Castledaly, Moate, Mount Temple and Glasson. It is expected Cllr Whelan's replacement will be in place in time for the September meeting of the council, which will be held on September 24. Both Mr Dolan and Cllr Shaw paid tribute to Cllr Whelan this week following his announcement on Monday that he is to retire from politics due to work commitments.