Weir still yet to confirm if he will contest June local elections

KNOCKMORE-based county councillor Séamus Weir has yet to confirm if his name will be on the ballot paper in this year’s local elections. 

The two-time Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council has said that he is currently running for re-election, but would consult with his family before formally committing.

Two of the 30 elected members of Mayo County Council have confirmed they will not be seeking re-election at this year’s local elections, which are due to take place between June 6-9 alongside the European Parliament elections. 

Ballyhaunis-based Fine Gael councillor will not be seeking re-election while Swinford-based Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Smyth retired from public office last year.

“I have to talk to my family, but at this stage, I am going,” Cllr Weir told The Mayo News.

Cllr Weir said there are a number of local projects that he would like to see delivered during his time as a county councillor.

This includes funding to upgrade the N26 the from Foxford to Ballina, an orbital ring road around Ballina and the delivery of an astroturf pitch for the Mount Falcon-based Conn Rangers soccer club.

The orbital route for Ballina town is currently at Phase 3 ‘Design & Environmental Evaluation’. A submission to An Bord Pleanála is expected in Q1 of 2025.

“It’s going to take another while, but too slow. It’s far too slow,” Cllr Weir said regarding the proposed orbital route.

A Strategic Assessment Report for a bypass for Foxford has been re-drafted and submitted to TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) for approval.

A new N26 from Mount Falcon to Foxford is currently proceeding with the appointment of Consultants for Phases 2 – 4 to bring the scheme from options selection to the planning phase.

Cllr Weir was first elected to Mayo County Council in 1999 for Fine Gael. He left the party in 2014 to contest that year’s local election as an Independent over a dispute over overground electricity pile-ons which were to run through his area.

If he decides to contest, he will face a pool of candidates that includes the five sitting county councillors, Annie May Reape (Fianna Fáil), Michael Loftus (Fianna Fáil), Jarlath Munnelly (Fine Gael) and John O’Hara (Fine Gael).

Newcomers Hugh Rouse (Fine Gael) and Úna Morris (Sinn Féin) will also be on the ballot paper as will ex-Fianna Fáil councillor Willie Nolan, who contested the 2019 local elections as an Independent. 

Fianna Fáil have yet to formally select candidate to run in the area, but it is understood long-serving county councillor Annie May Reape and Killala based Dave Alexander will be on the party ticket for the Ballina Electoral Area.