Field of four in Fianna Fáil race for vacant Laois council seat

Following the recent retirement of long-serving public representative Padraig Fleming, four candidates have been confirmed for the Fianna Fáil selection convention to fill the vacancy on Laois County Council.

Elva Kelly, Joey Kennedy, Ross Molloy and Willie Ramsbottom were confirmed at a nominations meeting on April 15 after being nominated to contest the selection convention to represent the Graiguecullen Portarlington Municipal District for the party, which will take place on Thursday, April 23.

Crettyard man Eoin Delaney declined to let his name go forward, while Brian Brennan also opted out as he liveses in the Portlaoise Municipal District.

Portarlington-based Joey Kennedy contested the 2024 local election as a late addition to the Fianna Fáil ticket. He secured 578 first preference votes. 

Stradbally-based Ross Molly would be one of the youngest councillors in Ireland in Laois if elected. A member of Fianna Fáil for five years, he says he has the support of Cllr Paschal McEvoy, who topped the poll at the 2024 local elections.

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Elva Kelly is the wife of the Laois GAA County Board Chairperson PJ Kelly and lives in The Swan, where the Fleming family hail from. Her father, the late Seamus Dwyer, was a senior party member for many years.

Timahoe man Willie Ramsbottom is also involved with the GAA as the Laois County Board's delegate on the Leinster Council. 

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Fianna Fáil say all details will be circulated to full voting members of the area. All members are welcome to attend. The successful candidate will take their seat in time for the next meeting of Laois County Council on Monday, April 27.

The new councillor will replace Padraigh Fleming who stepped away from politics after nearly two decades as a county councillor.

There are six seats in the Port Graigue district. Timahoe / Stradbally-based councillor Cllr Paschal McEvoy is the other Fianna Fáil councillor in the electoral area.