Hogan throws hat into ring for vacant council seat

Another former councillor has confirmed his intention to seek to be co-opted to fill the vacancy on Westmeath County Council, caused by the unexpected resignation of Jamie Moran.

Paul Hogan was first elected to what was then Athlone Urban District Council in 2004 as a 21-year-old representing Sinn Fein.

He served as a Sinn Fein councillor until his resignation from the party in July 2018, after which he sat on the Athlone Municipal District of Westmeath County Council as an independent councillor until losing his seat in the 2019 local elections.

In a statement today, Hogan said: “It is my intention to contest the vacancy caused by the unexpected resignation of Jamie Moran from Westmeath County Council. I wish Jamie well in his future endeavours.

“I believe I have a legitimate claim to contest this vacancy, as I served as an Independent councillor on Westmeath County Council in the last term. I stood as an Independent in the last Local Elections (2019) on the same independent team as Jamie Moran and Michael O’Brien. Of the six Independent candidates who stood in the last election, I finished 2nd behind Jamie, and after my elimination, my transfers played a significant role in electing Jamie as a Councillor. Therefore, I have a legitimate claim to be the natural successor to fill this vacancy.

“I am also contesting this vacancy in the interest of fairness, transparency and democracy. It is an important democratic principle that votes should be held to ensure accountability and transparency.

“It is also important that a strong Independent is returned to Westmeath County Council, whomever that may be.

“If elected, I look forward to working with all Members of Westmeath County Council for the betterment of the people the Council serves.

“I will proceed by contacting the Members of Westmeath County Council to seek their support for my nomination, in accordance with the legislation and the Standing Orders”