Laurence Fallon retains council seat after being elected on third count in Athlone electoral area (Roscommon)

Laurence Fallon has been elected with 1,497 votes on the third count and said that "it's always nice to win" despite being a councillor for the past 15 years. The newly re-elected Independent councillor said that he was "delighted" to secure a seat.

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"I think I have made a fairly sizeable contribution in the past. I will continue to do that as best I can. People should feel that they can approach me and if I can solve the problem for them, I will."

Mr Fallon feels that one of the major issues that was raised by the majority of people he canvassed is the flooding in Lough Funshinagh.

He added: "There was the issue of concern by people that despite the fact that they were working, despite the fact that they had reasonably good incomes, they were finding it very difficult to build a house. They were finding it very difficult to look after the family and that is an issue which surprised me somewhat." Mr Fallon said there was also a lot of concern for those with special needs who require care or elderly people who need same.

Speaking about his main concerns for the next five years in the council chamber, Mr Fallon said that Lough Funshinagh was his number one priority. He explained that the issue there was decimating the local environment along with homes. "It's going to create untold problems if we don't find solutions."

Mr Fallon also hopes to develop local towns and villages to make life better for people in South Roscommon. "We need to look once and for all at how we want to develop towns and villages and rural areas." He concluded that planning rules and guidelines also need to be looked at.