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03 Mar 2026
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03 Mar 2026
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Cllr Padraig Fleming, third from left, with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, his brother Seán and fellow FF Laois councillors at the recent FF 100th celebration in Portlaoise. Pic: Alf Harvey
A long-serving Fianna Fáil councillor is set to step aside from Laois County Council.
Cllr Padraig Fleming has informed his Fianna Fáil colleagues that he will step down from active politics in March. It is understood he reached the decision on health grounds.
A brother of Laois TD Seán Fleming, he has served on Laois County Council since 2009, when he was elected to the Luggacurren Electoral Area after many years of being active in Fianna Fáil, especially since his brother was elected to the Dáil in 1997.
He was returned to represent the new Graiguecullen Portarlington Municipal District at the 2014 local elections. He successfully retained his seat at two subsequent elections in 2019 and 2014.
A native of The Swan, he achieved his best election result in 2019 when he topped the poll, taking the first seat with 1,761 first preference votes.
READ NEXT: Laois historian gives voice to forgotten key figure of Irish history
Cllr Fleming has twice served as Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council. He completed his second term in the summer of 2025. Among the highlights was walking down 5th Avenue in New York on St Patrick's Day and hosting a Civic Reception for Francie Gorman on his election as the IFA President.
Apart from politics, Cllr Fleming has been an active member of his community for decades. He spent many years promoting activities for young people through Ossory Youth.
MORE BELOW PHOTO.
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Cllr Padraig Fleming and his wife Catherine at the Midlands Park Hotel for the Laois Fianna Fáil celebration of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the party. Pic: Alf Harvey
READ NEXT: Fantastic Fianna Fáil 100th celebration in Laois IN PICTURES
Cllr Fleming confirmed his departure to Cllr John Joe Fennelly, the chair of Fianna Fáil on Laois County Council, on March 2.
His final council meeting will be the next monthly Council meeting on March 30. It is anticipated that a replacement could be in place as early as the April council meeting.
Cllr Fleming will be the second Laois councillor to step aside since the 2024 local elections. Fine Gael co-opted Cllr Paddy Buggy to fill a vacancy in the Portlaoise District created following the election of Willie Aird to the Dáil in the 2024 General Election.
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