Boxer confirms bid to return to council chambers

Former Minister and TD Kevin 'Boxer' Moran has confirmed his intention to run in the June's local election, saying "little or nothing has happened" since he was Minister and “Athlone needs strong representation”.

While Boxer, who lost his Dáil seat in 2020, admits he made mistakes, the Athlone man repeatedly talks about his past record, his work ethic and his vision for the future of the town.

Speaking on Monday, he says he would be “honoured” to represent the area again, should the electorate give him their backing.

Asked how he feels about possibly working with members of the council who put forward Paul Hogan for co-option to the council, following the resignation of his son, Jamie Moran in 2022, a vote Boxer subsequently lost, he replied: “I don't hold grudges. Move on. I am who I am. I'd be honoured to represent the people (of Athlone). My record speaks for itself and I hope people see that. I never take anything for granted. In the last election I was evens (odds) to be elected and I lost out.

“It's all about knocking on doors and talking people and they will decide,” he said. “We need a strong council and we need to see things happen.”

He did admit, however, that he would seek to change the regulations in terms of a co-option in the future.

“I'm very passionate about this town - as a councillor, as a TD and a Minister I delivered a lot of things from schools, flood works, the community nursing unit which is almost done... and the Hidden Heartlands... Little or nothing has happened since then. We're even down on jobs in the last four years. If I'm elected I'll work with all parties and none for the town,” he vows.

While in favour of the Athlone Main Drainage project, something he's helped put in place, and the street enhancement project, Boxer is not happy with traffic management in the town.

He says there needs to a “stronger council and better management” of all of the schemes in terms of traffic management in the town.

“I always said I would run in the local elections or the general election whichever came first and that's what I intend to do.

“People know me and know my record. The town needs strong representation,” he underlines.

One of his big ambitions is to see Athlone gain city status, something he believes needs to start at ground level in the town between the council, business and groups to put a team together to drive it forward.

To do that, planning for the future is vital in terms of housing, transport, and infrastructure like bus corridors, and even, light rail should be investigated and planned for, he said.

Now is also the time for the council to look at planning for another bridge to connect east to west for people not going into town to shop, he maintains.

While he acknowledges that many of these measures could take years to put in place, the future planning must happen now to ensure the town continues to grow.

Another priority is the Defence Forces and the bid for headquarter status for Athlone, and the need for the local authority to look at existing land banks to provide more housing.

Hitting back at the criticism of him on social media, Boxer says: “Now is the time for those people to put their name forward for the election. I'll even drop them down a nomination form”.