BREAKING: Brian Leddin hopes new mayor 'can embrace a new vision for Limerick'

GREEN PARTY TD Brian Leddin has been eliminated from the election to become the first executive mayor of Limerick.

He was excluded after count number five having secured a total vote of 2,578 votes.

Mr Leddin was the first candidate to declare he was running in this election back in December.

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He blamed the drop in his vote on the fact Independent candidates have done so well in this maiden mayoral contest.

"You can see all the political parties have a supressed vote in the mayoral election and that's a reflection of the mayoral role. We can see with the Independents, around 50% of the first preference went to Independents. It wouldn't be the case in a European or national election. I don't think you can compare," Mr Leddin said.

He said he hopes whoever is elected the new mayor "embraces a vision for Limerick".

In reference to frontrunner John Moran, he said: "I think they might given who is likely to come through. If John holds on, anything I've been talking about is consistent with his vision as well. I'd like to see it embraced and pursued and I think the mayor will have the power to take it on and accellerate it."

It's back to Dail Eireann for Mr Leddin, who added: "I'm going to keep going. I've spoken about my passion for Limerick and the Mid-West, to plan for this part of Ireland to become that counter-weight to Dublin in time. I am going to continue working at that just like I have for the past four years. I am really passionate in the region's potential. I'm really passionate about that. and I hope I am working with a mayor of Limerick who has the very same vision. To work with that mayor, and work together to plan to make that happen."

Elected as a councillor in 2019, Mr Leddin was then elevated to Dail Eireann in 2020.

His elimination compounds a difficult weekend for the Green Party in Limerick, who have seen their representation on the local authority halved.

Mr Leddin's vote of 2,578 will now be transferred.

Meanwhile, John Moran now has a 5,343 lead over Helen O'Donnell in the race for the mayoralty.