Lawless first ever Aontú representative elected in Mayo

In a notable victory for Aontú, Paul Lawless secured a seat in the Claremorris Electoral Area, marking a significant achievement for the party in the local elections. Lawless, at his second attempt, attributes his success to relentless hard work and a commitment to addressing the needs of his constituents.

“First and foremost, I want to thank the voters for putting their faith in me. It's an honour and a privilege, and it comes with great responsibility,” Lawless told The Mayo News. “I want to acknowledging the crucial support from my family and campaign team. This victory is the culmination of years of dedicated efforts since my last attempt in 2019.”

Lawless highlighted the groundwork laid over the past five years, focusing on key local issues, particularly in the health sector and supporting farmers during the beef protests. “This campaign started five years ago,” he said, emphasising his persistent work on various fronts, including health campaigns and farmer protests. “People have responded today and recognised the hard work and dedication.”

Lawless said Aontú stands out as the only party genuinely holding the government accountable on various issues. He cited the party's stance on the two referendums as a testament to their commitment to doing what they believe is right, even when it puts them in the minority. “People recognise Aontú as a party that stands up for what's right," he said.

Immediate priorities

Looking ahead to his term on the council, Lawless outlined his immediate priorities, which include addressing local issues like speeding and the cost of living. He stressed the importance of tackling these issues while also highlighting the broader role of a councillor in advocacy and bringing transparency to local governance.

"The first thing I'll be doing Monday morning is working on the issues that came up on the doorstep," Lawless said. He also pointed to the importance of collaboration with other elected representatives and council officials to address the significant issue of immigration.

“People have a right to know what's happening in their communities, and that's something I want to bring transparency to.”

Lawless acknowledged that while significant change may not have swept the country, the Claremorris area has voted for change with two new councillors out of six. He emphasised the importance of working with all councillors and officials, regardless of past disagreements, to achieve the best outcomes for the people.

Lawless secured 1,177 first preference votes and with transfers, ended up with 1,770 – taking the final seat from the incumbent Cllr Tom Connolly of Fine Gael.