Political race heats up as more candidates to run

The political race is heating up as more candidates have this week declared their intentions to run for Athlone Town Council and Westmeath County Council. While the Fine Gael party was forced to adjourn its selection convention for the county last week when delegates refused to vote on a directive sent down by party headquarters. Two more independents have joined the race this week with well-known Glasson businessman Jack Moran declaring his intention to run as an independent candidate in the Westmeath County Council election and Sheila Buckley Byrne announcing she would go it alone in the town council race. Meanwhile, Labour held its selection convention on Monday night when sitting Cllr Ray Lennon and party stalwart Jim Henson were added to the Athlone Town Council ticket, while Lisa Burke was the party"s choice to contest the Westmeath County Council election. Fianna Fáil finalised its ticket in the Kilbeggan area with the addition by party headquarters of former councillor PJ Coghill to the initial ticket of Cllr Paul Daly, Vinny McCormack and Vincent Bagnall. And while Fianna Fáil and Labour have been finalising their tickets, Fine Gael failed to select three candidates for its ticket for the Athlone area of Westmeath County Council when delegates refused to vote on the directive set out by the Executive Council of the party. The Executive Council advised delegates that three candidates were to be selected, one of whom was to be female and one from Moate, but delegates refused to vote on this basis and called for an open vote. The convention was adjourned indefinitely and it is likely the decision will now be made at headquarters" level.