Hogan 'no stranger to the cut and thrust' of local politics

After an absence of more than two and a half years, independent councillor, Paul Hogan, received a warm welcome on his return to the Municipal District of Athlone Moate at their February meeting this afternoon (Monday)

Cllr Hogan was congratulated on his return by deputy mayor, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke who said he was “no stranger to the cut and thrust” of local politics, and wished him well in his new role as a member of the local municipal district.

The returning councillor, who lost his seat in the 2019 local elections, said he was “humbled and overwhelmed” at the support he has received from all quarters since he won a co-option vote to fill the casual vacancy created by the unexpected resignation of Cllr Jamie Moran last month.

In thanking everyone who had supported him, Cllr Hogan said he received “in excess of 500 phone calls” last week. He pledged to be “a very strong team player” as a member of the municipal district, adding that this was “very important” to him.

He also acknowledged that there would be “many challenges ahead” but promised to be “a strong independent voice for this area.”

Paul Hogan was first elected to the then-Athlone Urban District Council in 2004 to represent Sinn Féin when he was just 21 years old.

He subsequently resigned from Sinn Féin in July 2018 and served out the remainder of his term on Athlone Municipal District as an independent councillor until he lost his seat in the local elections in 2019.