Boxer Moran's council return could be blocked

There is a growing possibility that the proposed return of Kevin 'Boxer' Moran to local politics could be blocked by a majority of the members of Westmeath County Council later this month.

On Monday, the largest single party on the council, Fianna Fáil, opted to not express support for the former Junior Minister's nomination to replace his son, Jamie, as a councillor.

And in a further development this week, former Athlone councillor Paul Hogan announced he would be contesting the vacancy caused by Cllr Jamie Moran's resignation from the council last Thursday.

The destiny of the vacant seat is expected to be decided at the next meeting of the county council on Monday week, January 24.

If it goes to a vote, Fianna Fáil, which holds nine of the remaining nineteen seats, will have a key role to play.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent yesterday (Tuesday) morning, 'Boxer' said that, although the contest wasn't over yet, he had been hearing indications that Fianna Fáil was likely to support Paul Hogan's nomination.

He said this would be a break with precedent, as it had always been the case up to now that a departing councillor would nominate his or her successor.

"This would be the first occasion that an outgoing councillor nominates somebody and it's not accepted. And it's not being accepted because the two Athlone-based councillors don't want to see me back in the fray," he said.

"Paul sees an opportunity to come back, and that's politics. I'm not going to hold grudges, I'll still talk to politicians of all parties and none. I don't want to get into a dogfight over this. I don't want to get into a row over who or what doesn't want me.

"You might say that Fianna Fáil still sees me as a threat, and that that's why they don't want me, but you have to look at the precedent this is setting. This was never done before.

"They will turn around and say it's an Independent seat, and that Paul Hogan is entitled to go for it.

"Paul, no more than anyone else, knows that whenever we had vacancies on the town council or the county council it was the person who was going out the door (who would choose their replacement)," he commented.

The former Minister for the OPW said he was heartened by support he had received from the public since it was confirmed last Friday that he would be seeking to return to the council.

"I've been encouraged by the level of support that I've gotten. In the taxis, I know that people are annoyed. If Fianna Fáil gets one over on Boxer, that's grand. We'll move on. There's no-one dead here.

"I'm surprised that they've gone down this road, but I'm not overly shocked by it. Two years (until the next local elections) won't be long coming down the road. My name might appear on the ballot paper, and there will be no way that they can block it then," he said.

Paul Hogan

On Monday, former councillor Paul Hogan issued a statement saying he would seek to be co-opted to fill the vacancy on Westmeath County Council.

He said he believed he had a legitimate claim to contest the vacancy, and was doing so in the interests of democracy and in accordance with council Standing Orders and legislation.

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 his statement, 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 second 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," his statement continued.

"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.".

Resignation

The vacancy arose after Jamie Moran resigned as a councillor on Thursday, January 6.

In the post on his Facebook page that day, he said: "It's with a heavy heart I want to let you know that I have resigned from Westmeath County Council with immediate effect. It was a great honour and privilege to serve the people of Athlone and Moate since I was elected.

"My decision for stepping down is due to new work opportunities, it is one that I have not taken lightly and I have given it much thought and reflection.

"I would like to thank all my colleagues and staff members in the council and the outdoor staff. A big thanks to all my friends, supporters and family."

The following day 'Boxer' said Jamie had nominated him as a replacement in his resignation letter to the council, and that that he would be seeking to be co-opted to Westmeath County Council.

The matter will now go before the Corporate Policy Group of Westmeath County Council and then before a full meeting of the council.

The next meeting of the council's Corporate Policy Group is due to take place on January 19, with the first full council meeting of the new year scheduled for January 24.

If a vacancy arises the during the lifetime of a council, a new councillor is co-opted to the council. Traditionally, the vacancy is filled by the nominee of the outgoing councillor or their party.

However, it is a decision of the full council, and any candidate would have to secure the support of the majority of the council.

Fianna Fáil

On Monday, the Fianna Fáil group on Westmeath County Council issued a statement in which it did not confirm what its approach regarding the filling of the vacancy would be.

The group said its councillors had a preliminary meeting to discuss the vacancy and had not reached any decisions.

"It is our understanding that a number of people are interested in the position. We have not reached any decisions at this time but we are determined to ensure that this process is open, fair, fully transparent and democratic," said the party's statement.

"We have no doubt that whoever the new Councillor will be on January 24, he or she will be afforded every cooperation and support possible both from the sitting councillors and the staff of Westmeath County Council to ensure a professional and efficient transition."

Good wishes

Jamie Moran's resignation was top of the list for discussion at the January meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District on Monday afternoon, with many good wishes being extended to the departing member.

The issue was raised by acting Mayor, Cllr Aengus O'Rourke, who said the council was "one down" since its last meeting in December, and that he wished Cllr Moran the best of luck in the future.

He added that the process to replace Cllr Moran had already begun and it was his understanding that "a number of people" were interested in contesting the vacancy.

Cllr John Dolan said he was sorry to see Cllr Moran leave the council, particularly as he was the youngest member.

"It's very hard to get young people into politics, it's not for everyone and for every lifestyle and we all know the stresses involved so I am sorry to see him go," said the Fine Gael councillor.

Green Party councillor Louise Heavin said: "I think this resignation highlights the issues faced by anyone entering local politics and trying to balance every other area of their life, which in my case is work and family," while Cllr Johnny Penrose added that politics was "a tough game to be in."

Cllr Frankie Keena referred to "the process" that has to be gone through in order to fill the vacancy and expressed the hope that it would be "fair, transparent and democratic."

He also added that it was "very interesting" to see the number of people who were interested in contesting the vacancy.