Athlone councillor seeking poster ban ahead of 2019 local elections

A local councillor is calling for a complete ban on posters ahead of the local elections next May. 

The restriction is being sought by Cllr Paul Hogan who has previously expressed the view that political posters are a waste of money. 

The issue will be debated at the November meeting of the Athlone Municipal District on Monday afternoon next.

Cllr Hogan put forward a motion for the meeting which requests: "In advance of the Local and European Elections 2019, that Athlone Municipal District considers the prohibition of the use of posters and report back to members by January 2019.”

During the recent presidential election, Michael D Higgins and Liadh Ní Riada were the only two candidates to use posters to promote their campaigns. 

At a council meeting last June, Cllr Hogan spoke out against the use of political posters. He said there had been a motion before South Dublin County Council in 2016 calling for a ban on all posters ahead of votes and he was in favour of this.

He said there were a number of problems with posters, including their cost, the fact that they're harmful to the environment, and the threat they can pose to the public if they're sent flying in high winds.

“I'd support banning all posters. I think they're a complete waste of money,” he said at the time.