'Boxer' set for knockout victory with huge vote in Athlone electoral area
The phenomenal performance of former Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, more than four years after he lost his Dáil seat, is the big story so far in the Athlone-area race for Westmeath County Council.
At the time of writing, with almost two-thirds of votes tallied in the area, the Cornamagh resident has taken more than 40% of the total vote – a whopping 2,311 first preferences.
"You could elect two 'Boxers' with that vote," quipped one onlooker as the tallies rolled in.
‘Boxer’ Moran himself is not here in TUS but one of his sons, former councillor Jamie Moran, has been delivering the good news to him over the phone.
Currently in second place in Athlone is Cllr Aengus O'Rourke (FF), followed by 2019 poll-topper Frankie Keena (FF), and John Dolan (FG).
First-time Sinn Féin candidate Conor Dowling-Linehan is currently fifth in the five-seater, with councillors Louise Heavin (Greens) and Paul Hogan (Independent Ireland) also battling for that fifth seat.
Catrina O'Donohoe of the Irish Freedom Party is currently in eighth position, among the eleven candidates, followed by Independent Tom Cleary, Fine Gael's Ruairi Keyes, and Labour's Ray Lennon.
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