Boxer confirms he is seeking council seat

Former Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has confirmed he is seeking to be co-opted to Westmeath County Council to replace his son, Jamie Moran, who resigned as a councillor yesterday (Thursday).

The former TD and Minister of State said Jamie Moran had nominated him as a replacement in his resignation letter to the council.

Boxer said there was “a gentleman’s agreement” that the party or independent involved would select the replacement.

However, any nomination for co-option to the council needs the approval of the elected members of Westmeath County Council at a monthly meeting. Stating that it would be a matter for the councillors, Boxer said: “I’m taking nothing for granted in politics”.

Explaining the circumstances of Jamie’s resignation and his own nomination, Boxer said Jamie had told him before Christmas that he (Jamie) had accepted a job with longer hours and felt that it was not possible to be a councillor as well. Jamie had indicated then that he intended to resign from the council and to nominate his father to take his place.

Boxer said: “I had to discuss it with my wife Michelle and my other son John and I’ve decided to let my name go forward.”

He confirmed that Jamie had formally nominated him as a replacement.

Boxer explained that the matter now goes before the Corporate Policy Group of Westmeath County Council and then before a full meeting of the council.

Boxer said he had spoken to a number of other councillors who promised their support for his nomination. “If they (the other councillors) accept me, I’m back on the council,” he said.

Boxer said he had long experience on the local authority and as a TD and Minister and said he was relishing a potential return to politics. “I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead,” he declared, stating that he felt the Government had taken “their eye off the ball” in recent years when it came to Athlone, Moate and Kilbeggan. A number of initiatives which he had spearheaded whilst Minister had been delayed or not fully capitalised upon, including the tourism potential of the Hidden Heartlands brand, he said.

The next Corporate Policy Group meeting of Westmeath County Council is due to take place on January 19, with the first full council meeting of the New Year scheduled for January 24.

Jamie Moran was elected in 2019 to Westmeath County Council for the Athlone/Moate Municipal District.

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran lost his seat in the Longford/Westmeath constituency at the February 2020 general election.

Athlone was left without a TD from the town in that constituency, with Sorca Clarke (SF) Peter Burke (FG), Robert Troy (FF) and Joe Flaherty (FF) elected.