Young Laois businessman appointed by Fianna Fáil as community representative

A young Laois business entrepreneur has been appointed as Fianna Fáil's unelected local area representative for Graiguecullen-Portarlington district.

Joey Kennedy was the youngest candidate in Ireland when he ran unsuccessfully in the 2024 local elections at the age of just 19.

Already an experienced businessman, he has a strong Fianna Fáil involvement.

Mr Kennedy runs his own business in Portarlington, Willow and Green Interiors. His next venture is Burn Gym which will be opening in the coming weeks.

He also serves as Vice Chair of Laois Fianna Fáil CDC.

The appointing of unofficial public representatives is a growingly popular method to put candidates in the public eye in hopes of winning a future election.

"Joey brings with him a strong commitment to community development, grassroots engagement, and public service. His appointment reflects Fianna Fáil’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence at local level in Laois," a spokesperson for Laois Fianna Fáil said.

Joey Kennedy outlined his hopes for his new position.

“I am honoured to be selected as a Local Area representative. I fully appreciate the trust the party is placing in me with this, and I am humbled by this honour.

“Portarlington has become one of the fastest growing towns in the country and there is a need for services to keep pace with this population boom. With this growing population there is a need for strong representation so we aren’t left behind.

“As a local business owner myself I know the struggles that small business face and want to be a voice for SME’s in Laois,” he said.

Mr Kennedy said that housing is the number one issue affecting his generation.

“I am ‘generation rent’, the generation that has been locked out of the property market by failed housing policies for the last decade. I see many people I grew up with and went to school with, choosing to emigrate, with the primary reason for this being the inability to get their foot on the property ladder.

“I want to be the voice for those of us who are feeling the brunt of the housing crisis and to see meaningful, sustained and impactful change in this key area. Everyone should have access to their own home. We deserve home ownership being a viable ambition for us," he said.

Fianna Fáil TD for Laois Seán Fleming welcomed the appointment.

“I am delighted that our party has appointed Joey as a Local Area Representative. Joey has shown outstanding hard work and dedication to his community and will be a strong voice for the people of Portarlington.

“I look forward to working with Joey along with our sitting Fianna Fáil Councillors in the area Padraig Fleming and Pascal McEvoy,” Dep Fleming said.

Fianna Fáil is encouraging residents of the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District to reach out to Joey with any concerns or ideas that they may have in the weeks and months ahead.

The appointment of Joey Kennedy comes on the back of a reportedly successful AGM for Laois Fianna Fáil, who now have one of the youngest political party officer boards in the country where Joey now serves as Vice Chairperson. 

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William Delaney from the Pike of Rushall takes over as Chairperson from a very successful term from Mountmellick native Joe Dunne.

Eimhin McEvoy from Portlaoise remains on as Secretary of the CDC with Trumra born, Portlaoise based teacher Rita Holland joining Liám McMahon from Portarlington as joint Treasurers.

The final roles of Womens and Equality was taken up by Castletown native Lindsay Cuddy and PRO of the CDC is now Ross Molloy from Stradbally.