Willie Kennedy wins Fine Gael nomination for Roscrea and Templemore District

The Roscrea/Templemore District of Fine Gael held their selection convention recently in Fitzpatrick’s Country Club, Clonmore, where two candidates contested to run in the local elections in June - Willie Kennedy from Templetuohy and Tim Maher from Castliney, Templemore.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor David Fitzgerald from Kilkenny who welcomed the large crowd present and outlined the voting procedures for the meeting and both candidates signed the party pledge.

Guest Speaker for the meeting was Senator Garret Ahearn, who is the Public representative for Tipperary. Senator Ahearn was delighted to attend the meeting and remarked on the large attendance.

Senator Ahearn outlined the new boundary changes which will see North and South Tipperary divided for the next general election and explained how the changes for the area will see parts of west Kilkenny join with North Tipperary.

Senator Ahearn said he was delighted to see a contest for the nomination for the upcoming Council elections in June 2024 and he welcomed former councillor, Denis Ryan and Joe Bourke and thanked them for their excellent work for the party.

Senator Ahearn welcomed Councillor Noel Coonan and thanked him for his years of service to the party both as Senator and T.D. and currently a serving member of Tipperary County Council.

Senator Ahearn wished Noel Coonan best wishes for his retirement, as he will not be putting his name forward for the upcoming June elections.

Councillor Coonan thanked Senator Ahearn and the meeting for the good wishes and said it was an honour to serve Fine Gael since 1994 at local and National Level.

He paid tribute to all the Fine Gael members who served Fine Gael over the years and paid tribute to his late wife Pauline Coonan who served on the Council for many years.

He wished the party well for the future. Willie Kennedy was proposed by Connie Costigan and seconded by Denis Ryan. Tim Maher was proposed by Willie Ryan and seconded by Rosanne Ryan.

Willie Gleeson, Regional Organiser, gave the details of the voting system and organised the counting of the votes.
Willie Kennedy got the most votes and thanked all members for voting for him and he assured the meeting he would do his best to win a seat in the Roscrea/Templemore Area for Fine Gael.

He thanked Tim Maher for making a contest of and it was good to see such a crowed at the meeting. Tim Maher thanked all members who voted for him and assured Willie Kennedy of his support during the campaign.

Michael Madden, Chairman of the District, thanked Counsellor Fitzgerald and Senator Ahearn for attending the meeting and thanked all the members for their attendance.

He thanked Tim Maher and Willie Kennedy for putting their names forward for selection. He thanked Mary McDonagh, District Organiser, for her work for the meeting and thanked John Fitzpatrick and staff for providing the facility and refreshments for the meeting.