FG names second candidate in Athlone

Athlone's Ruairí Keyes has been added to Fine Gael ticket in the Athlone area ahead of the summer's local elections.

Before Christmas, Cllr John Dolan, the sitting Fine Gael Councillor in the Athlone Electoral Area, was selected to run again in the elections, likely to be held in June.

Ruairí Keyes from Athlone town also considered running at convention, but pulled out on the night.

A spokesperson for Fine Gael has confirmed to the Westmeath Independent that Mr Keyes was was approved as a second candidate in the town by the party's Executive Council on Tuesday evening.

The party said there are “no plans currently” to add a candidate in Moate, where sitting Cllr Tom Farrell is the standard-bearer.