A former local TD and Minister is calling for a change in the procedures around co-option to County Councils as he seeks re-election to Westmeath Council. Kevin Boxer Moran was an Independent TD and Former OPW Minister who lost his seat in the 2020 General Elections. He sought co-option to Westmeath County Council in 2022 following the resignation of his son, Jamie Moran from the position. The outgoing councillor's nomination is usually elected to the vacated position unopposed.
However, in Boxer Moran's case, former Councillor Paul Hogan was elected on a margin of 6 votes to 12, with Fianna Fail and Green Party councillors along with one Fine Gael representative siding with Hogan. The former Office of Public Works Minister is to contest June's Local Election and is calling for an end to the involvement of political parties in the co-option process. Speaking to Let's Talk today, Kevin Boxer Moran says that he will not hold a grudge if re-elected:
