Keena's support proves sturdy after lengthy campaign

Re-elected councillor Frankie Keena was more than satisfied with the strong vote he received in the Athlone electoral area on Friday last.

"All campaigns are gruelling. I enjoyed campaigning, but it has been a long campaign," he said, after being elected on the second count in Moate on Sunday evening.

"In terms of the strategy for this election, I started last November, and then on Good Friday I started knocking on doors.

"I found the campaign very interesting. In general, people were very receptive on the doorsteps.

"There were maybe 40 or 50 houses throughout the area that I found difficult, but I respect people's views in relation to that," said the Fianna Fáil representative.

While 'Boxer' Moran topped the poll by a considerable distance, Cllr Keena received the second highest total of first preferences in the Athlone area, at 1,371.

That was 212 fewer than he had received five years ago, but he described this as a very positive result given the number of votes 'Boxer' had swept up.

"Obviously there are huge challenges facing the Government parties at the moment, so I'm delighted to hold my vote that steady," he said.

When asked what was responsible for the durability of his support, he attributed it to hard work and extensive involvements in the local community.

"I really enjoy doing community work, and really enjoy trying to help people," he stated.

"I get frustrated when I can't help people, and when I haven't got the autonomy to help people - when I'm depending on the council executive, or the HSE in the case of medical cards and things like that.

"There are around 26 community groups throughout the town and district that I'd be involved with. I'm chair of five or six of them, and treasurer or secretary of others. I'm not just a dormant member of these groups, I'm an active member, and that to me is key."

Issues around health services and traffic in the Athlone are were among those that people had highlighted when he spoke to them during the campaign.

"Obviously housing came up as well, as did the lack of buses between Athlone and Dublin or Galway, speeding, anti-social behaviour, drugs, and law and order.

"So those are the kinds of issues that I'll be working to try to resolve. I have a really long list of queries to follow up on.

"If people asked me, 'What are you going to do for me, Frankie?' my response was always that I'll do my best to try and help you. I can't promise people anything else, and I think I was fair with people on that."

He noted that it was 28 years since he first became an elected representative. In 1996, he was co-opted onto Athlone Urban District Council following the death of Sean Fallon.

He said it would be impossible to be involved in electoral politics for so long without the support of those closest to him, and he paid tribute to his wife Siobhan and family, as well as his campaign team.

"I also want to thank the media for the work that you do in highlighting what the council is doing, and putting it out into the public arena for people to see and comment upon," he said.