Candidates emerging for co-option to county council

SHANNON Town Councillor Sean McLoughlin will go forward to the Fine Gael county convention for co-option to the Clare County Council seat held by newly elected Senator Tony Mulcahy.
Councillor McLoughlin was nominated by the Shannon branch of the party earlier this week, while Vincent Colman was nominated to go forward for selection to take over Senator Mulcahy’s seat on Shannon Town Council.
“It was the overwhelming view of the meeting that Councillor McLoughlin is the best candidate to continue the work done by Senator Mulcahy.
“Vincent Coleman is a young man who was reared in this town. He has been very active with his residents’ association and no doubt will be an asset to Shannon Town Council,” said Anne Curley, Fine Gael branch secretary.
Senator Mulcahy said he was delighted that two strong candidates, who are both long-time colleagues and friends, are being proposed by the branch.
Meanwhile, in North Clare, further names are emerging in the race to succeed Senator Martin Conway on Clare County Council, including former local election candidate Bill Slattery; Ennistymon resident Peter Davenport and Jonathon Wilson from Miltown Malbay.
Mr Davenport, from New Quay, confirmed to The Clare Champion that he has “been approached by a number of grassroots members of the party encouraging me to go forward and I am seriously considering it”.
Lahinch man Bill Slattery contested a seat in the Ennistymon area in the 1999 local elections, having previously run in 1985.
Another name being mentioned in relation to the council vacancy is that of young Miltown Malbay businessman, Jonathon Wilson. Mr Wilson is from a well-known family with his father, Mickey Wilson involved in St Joseph’s GAA Club and his uncle, Terry Wilson involved in business and politics.
Senator Conway said he would not be endorsing one candidate over another in terms of his replacement on Clare County Council.
“It is only proper and right for me to take a neutral position as to who will replace me on Clare County Council. I have every confidence that the members of Fine Gael in North Clare will select a person fitting for the position of member of Clare County Council. There are challenging times facing all of us and whoever is selected will have to work hard to ensure the people of North Clare receive their fair share of ever-decreasing available resources.
“Also, we will have to work hard to make sure Fine Gael retains the seat, along with the seat of Councillor Joe Arkins at the next elections. I look forward to working with whoever is selected to retain the two Fine Gael seats in the next local elections,” Senator Conway concluded.