Roscommon Councillor Ivan Connaughton has announced he intends to resign his current role on the local authority.
The Athleague native has indicated that, due to a number of reasons, he will be stepping down as a local representative in the coming months.
The Independent Councillor was first elected in 2014, and retained his seat in 2019's Local Elections.
He is inviting interested parties who wish to fill his seat on the Council to contact him to fulfil the co-option process.
He says that a committee will be formed to appoint his successor and he will provide that person with support and advice.
This evening's announcement comes just days after the auctioneer claimed he was close to quitting politics during a local M.D meeting discussion on Lough Funshinagh flooding.
The former Fianna Fail party member had sought support to engage with experts to examine proposals to possibly pump water away from the south Roscommon farms and lands badly affected by flood waters.
A proposal made by the Councillor at a Roscommon County Council meeting earlier to invite pumping experts to speak to elected representatives was rejected by the Council executive.
The full statement issued by Councillor Connaughton is below:
Public Statement – From Cllr Ivan Connaughton
For a number of reasons, it is my intention to step down as a County Councillor in the coming months. In accordance with the process for filling a casual vacancy in relation to non-party candidates, I have a structure in place whereby my replacement will be nominated for co-option to the Council.
I invite anyone interested in the position to contact me by phone (086-8985013) or Email: [email protected] by 5pm on Friday 9th April 2021. I will forward all names to the committee who will oversee the interview process and nominate a suitable replacement.
When this process is complete, I will resign my seat on Roscommon County Council but I will assist and support my successor to ensure the people of the area continue to be represented effectively for the remainder of this Council term.
It has been an honour for me to serve on Roscommon County Council since 2014, and in particular as Cathaoirleach, in 2019. I thank all who helped elect me at the last local elections in 2019 and those who supported me in previous elections.
My driving force has always been to represent the interests of the people, and to work for the betterment of the County to the best of my ability, and I am very grateful for having been given the opportunities to do so. Although I am stepping down from elected office, I will continue to work to promote these objectives in any way I can in the coming years.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.
Cllr Ivan Connaughton
