New twist in race to become Limerick's first directly elected mayor as candidate withdraws
THE FIRST candidate to announce he would contest the election for Directly Elected Mayor has pulled out of the race.
Fionán Coughlan, a businessman who runs Re:Story in Limerick’s Milk Market was first out the traps to announce he was seeking the office way back in March 2021.
It was only just before Christmas that a second candidate announced their intention to stand, the Green Party TD Brian Leddin.
Since then, finance chief John Moran and city businesswoman Helen O’Donnell have also suggested they could be interested in contesting the election for the high-profile role.
But with Limerick expected to go to the polls in June, Mr Coughlan has declared he will no longer stand in 2024.
"I wish to devote time to developing my business. I opened a business during the pandemic and thanks to the support of local craftspeople and customers it has grown from strength to strength," he said.
He added it is his intention to seek election in 2029 when the second ever election for a directly elected mayor in Limerick is scheduled.