Fianna Fáil old guard make way for young guns in Laois

THE officer board of the Fianna Fáil party in Laois is now considered to be one of the party’s youngest boards in the country.

The claim follows on from its recently held annual general meeting which saw the young guard take over the reins of the organisation in Laois.

The delegates voted William Delaney from the Pike of Rushall to take on the reasonability of the county chairperson from outgoing chairperson Mountmellick native Joe Dunne.

Eimhin McEvoy from Portlaoise remains on as secretary of the Comhairle Dáil Ceantair (Constituency Council) with Trumera born, Portlaoise based teacher Rita Holland joining Liám McMahon from Portarlington as joint treasurers. The role of Womens and Equality was taken up by Castletown native Lindsay Cuddy while the position of PRO of the Comhairle Dáil Ceantair went to Ross Molloy from Stradbally.

Joey Kennedy from Portarlington was elected county vice chairperson and appointed the party’s representative in the Graiguecullen/Portarlington Municipal District Council.

He was the youngest candidate in the country when at the age of 19 he contested, unsuccessfully, last June’s local elections.

The party said that Mr Kennedy brings with him “a strong commitment to community development, grassroots engagement and public service. His appointment reflects Fianna Fáil’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence at local level in Laois.” 

Commenting on his appointment Mr Kennedy said: “I am honoured to be selected as a local area representative. I fully appreciate the trust the party is placing in me with this, and I am humbled by this honour.

“Portarlington has become one of the fastest growing towns in the country and there is a need for services to keep pace with this population boom. With this growing population there is a need for strong representation so we aren’t left behind. As a local business owner myself I know the struggles that small business face and want to be a voice for small and medium enterprises in Laois.” 

He described himself as a, “generation rent, the generation that has been locked out of the property market by failed housing policies for the last decade. I see many people I grew up with and went to school with, choosing to emigrate, with the primary reason for this being the inability to get their foot on the property ladder. I want to be the voice for those of us who are feeling the brunt of the housing crisis and to see meaningful, sustained and impactful change in this key area. Everyone should have access to their own home. We deserve home ownership being a viable ambition for us.” 

Welcoming Mr Kennedy’s appointment Fianna Fáil TD for Laois Seán Fleming said: “I am delighted that our party has appointed Joey as a local area representative.” 

He said that Mr Kennedy: “Has shown outstanding hard work and dedication to his community and will be a strong voice for the people of Portarlington.”