Athlone's Padraig Hegarty rules out local election bid

Athlone man Padraig Hegarty, who ran for the council as a Sinn Féin candidate in 2019, has decided not to contest this year's local elections.

The Baylough native is active in the community and currently serves as PRO of Athlone Boat Club, chairperson of Athlone Family Resource Centre, and chairperson of St Peter's FC.

He had been weighing up a possible election run this year as an Independent, but in a statement issued to the Westmeath Independent on Monday evening he indicated he would not be standing on this occasion.

He said the possibility of an election run had been mentioned to him by a number of local residents and businesspeople. However, as the father of two children, his priority is his young family.

"Many in the community are aware of my passion and drive for all things Athlone, and I will continue my community activism and support to communities and groups across the town," he stated.

"I retain the aspiration to be a part of the wider council at a later juncture in life, as I feel I have so much to contribute to our great town.

"I am privileged enough to be able to do quite a bit of community work, which is very dear to my heart, and I will always continue to carry out this work with the view towards building upon it."

He said running in the last local election had been "a great character-shaping experience" for him.

"The local elections are hugely important to Athlone and I would implore all who can vote to exercise that right," Mr Hegarty stated.