Limerick city councillor to return back to his native place
ANSWERS on a postcard – who was the last councillor to be elected in the city and then the county of Limerick?
Cllr Michael Sheahan isn’t sure but he hopes to accomplish that feat next year.
Local elections are 12 months away but political parties have long been in planning mode with conventions due to take place shortly.
In a statement to the Leader, Cllr Sheahan said: “I wish to officially confirm that I intend to seek nomination in order to stand for selection at the upcoming Fine Gael convention as a Fine Gael candidate in the Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District in the 2024 local election.”
If elected, it will be the third local electoral area the former mayor has represented.
Cllr Sheahan was elected in the old Castleconnell area in 2009; then Limerick City East in 2014 and 2019. Next on his agenda is Adare-Rathkeale.
“I was born in Askeaton. In the early 1980s I moved to Monaleen where I spent 35 years teaching. I retired in 2007,” said Cllr Sheahan. After his mother passed away three years ago, he returned to live in his native place.
“I want to continue working for the people and the communities. I’d like to continue in politics no matter where I live and it makes sense for me. I’m involved in a lot of activities in Askeaton – Tidy Towns, CE Scheme, soccer club and Community Games,” he said.
In 2019, Fine Gael ran three candidates – Adam Teskey, Stephen Keary and Leo Walsh. Cllr Teskey and Cllr Keary claimed 37% of the first preferences with Mr Walsh narrowly missing out.
“They had three quotas,” noted Cllr Sheahan. “With Kevin (Sheahan) retiring the communities bounding the N69 are under-represented,” he added.