'I'm over the moon' Mountrath independent retakes seat in Laois Local Elections

Proud Mountrath man, independent councillor James Kelly has held tight onto his seat for his third election, scooping 1408 number 1 votes in his Borris-in-Ossory Mountrath constituency.

He was finally elected on the tenth count with 1740 votes, announced simultaneously with Cllr Paddy Bracken, Cllr John King, Cllr Ollie Clooney and Cllr Seamus McDonald, rounding off the district with Cllr Conor Bergin, the same six elected again.

“I’m over the moon. I’m very happy and proud of the number ones I got. I did expect it to be a lot lower. There has been a huge campaign for Conor Bergin from the Fine Gael machine.

“I thank the people of the area. I got a lot of votes around the area outside of Mountrath as well. 

“People can say it’s down to the huge surge for independents in this election, but for the last two elections I’ve been up near the top anyway. I have a great work ethic,” he said.

Cllr Kelly with his sisters, supporters and wife at the election centre.

“It can be a big advantage to already be a known councillor when seeking election, but Cllr Kelly doesn’t see it that way.

“I feel privileged to be a councillor.

“There are a lot more expectations from a sitting councillor. You’re expected to get results, but yes it is harder for candidates who are not sitting. I want to applaud everybody who went for election. It’s a tough ask on the doors. A number put in a huge canvass and possibly don’t get the reward they deserve.

“Any candidate coming from a strong urban area has an advantage. 

“I always ask for a number one on the doorsteps, not just ‘will you look after me?’. If you look people straight in the face you can see if they are being honest when they agree to it,” Cllr Kelly said.

The businessman is deeply involved in many community groups in his town, which is fighting back well against urban degeneration, with voters possibly showing satisfaction at its regrowth. 

He co-founded Mountrath Community Forum, he is on Mountrath Town Team, a board member in BloomHQ, chairs the town’s festival committee and is coordinator of Mountrath Cottage Markets. 

“Laois County Council has recognised that our towns need to be regenerated. Their regeneration officer is really working very hard for us,” he said.