Huge number of candidates in Laois local election race

Fears that threats to politicans online and in person would put people off running in the local elections does not seem to be borne out in Laois where the number of candidates is more than double the number of council seats on offer.

Portlaoise looks set to be the big battleground in the Laois local elections with 45 candidates in the field across the county with just a few days left to close of nominations.

There are seven seats up for grabs in the Portlaoise Municipal District. The declared candidates to date are:

• Fianna Fáil: John Joe Fennelly, Catherine Fitzgerald, Naeem Iqbal.
• Fine Gael: Willie Aird, Barry Walsh, Thomasina Connell
• Sinn Féin: Caroline Dwane Stanley, Jason Phelan, Maria McCormack
• Labour: Marie Tuohy
• Green Party: Rosie Palmer
• Aontú: Martha Ryan
• Independent Ireland: Collette Byrne
• Non-party: Noel Burke, Pauline Flanagan, Donal Kelly, Dominic Dunne, Tommy Mulligan, Bolaji Adeyanju

There are six seats available the Graiguecullen Portarlington Municipal District. The declared candidates so far are:

• Fianna Fáil: Padraig Fleming, Joey Kennedy, Paschal McEvoy
• Fine Gael: PJ Kelly, Vivienne Phelan
• Sinn Féin: Aidan Mullins, Aaron Kelly
• Green Party: Charlie Hackett
• Labour: Eoin Barry
• Independent Ireland: Patsy Fennell
• Non-party: Ben Brennan, Aisling Moran

A further six seats are up for grabs in the Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District. The candidates to date are:

• Fianna Fáil: Paddy Bracken, Fintan Cuddy, Declan Goode, Seamus McDonald, Brian Phelan
• Fine Gael: John King, Conor Bergin, Paddy Buggy
• Sinn Féin: Helen Campion,  Lorna Holohan Garry
• Labour: Bryan Corrigan
• Green Party: Fiona Dunne
• Non-party: James Kelly, Ollie Clooney

Laois County Council's local election returning officer will publish the final list on May 20. The latest time for receiving nominations is 12 noon on Saturday, May 18. Voting takes place on June 7. There are 19 seats on Laois County Council.