GENERAL ELECTION: 'Anything is possible' Who might fill Willie Aird's seat in Laois?
Fine Gael councillor position in Portlaoise Municipal District now up for grabs
With the dust settling on Deputy Willie Aird's elevation to TD status, his 45 year long seat as a county councillor in Portlaoise Municipal District is up for grabs for the next four years.
Laois Fine Gael will have the final say, with Dep Aird telling the Leinster Express / Laois Live that he has no idea who they will pick and it has not yet been discussed by the party.
"I never count my chickens before an election. I haven't a clue," he said at the count centre just after his election.
A strong contender is Willie's wife Anne Maria. Well known and active in Laois IFA circles, it could be hers if she agrees to accept the seat.
Another possibility is Paddy Buggy, who ran twice unsuccessfully in the past in Laois local elections. The Kyletalesha farmer is manager of the MDA in Mountmellick, visited by Taoiseach Simon Harris during the election campaign.
The choice would strengthen Mountmellick's local representation in Laois County Council, carried by Fianna Fáil Cllr Paddy Bracken.
Paddy told the Leinster Express that he would be happy to take the co-opted seat if it is offered to him by Laois Fine Gael.
He had contested in the Portlaoise municipal district and then the Mountmellick Borris-in-Ossory MD. He sees no issue with replacing Cllr Aird in the Portlaoise district despite living on the boundary of the district.
"Anything is possible if you wish hard enough. That's what Peter Pan would say," Mr Buggy said.