The seat left vacant by the sad passing of Jerry Lodge earlier this year will be filled next month, LaoisToday understands.
Eight people put themselves forward to fill the Portlaoise Municipal seat in recent months and a Fianna Fail source revealed that a new Councillor will be in place by the July meeting of the Laois County Council.
Meanwhile, one candidate, Brian Brennan, has revealed to LaoisToday that he is out of the race as he will not be given an interview.
Brian Brennan is the current chairman of the Spink Cumann of Fianna Fail – which is within the Portlaoise Electoral Area.
He is behind the popular Brennan’s Gin brand which is produced by An Sean-Teach. He is also heavily involved in the Spink-Knock community.
However, Brian was told that because he is not from the town of Portlaoise, he will not be selected for an interview.
LaoisToday understands that the seven other candidates are still in the race and the interviews will commence soon.
Dan Carmody, Donal Kelly, Dominic Dunne, John O’Neill, David Ryan, Pauline Madigan and Noel O’Rourke are all still in the hunt.
There was widespread shock and sadness at the start of April when the popular Fianna Fail politician Jerry Lodge passed away suddenly after a short illness.
Mr Lodge was one of Fianna Fail’s longest-serving elected representatives in the country.
Aged in his 70s, he was first elected to Portlaoise Town Commission in 1967 and he celebrated 50 years as a public representative last year.
After his election to the Town Commission he was elected to the County Council at each of the seven subsequent local elections – in 1979, 1985, 1991, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014.
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