Two Offaly councillors not running in local elections

Change is in the air in Offaly County Council, with at least two long-serving councillors not running in the next local elections due in 2024.

Fianna Fáil councillors Eamon Dooley and Danny Owens are not contesting the party's selection conventions for Offaly County Council in two weeks time, it has emerged.

As a result, there is certain to be a number of new faces on the next council.

Ferbane’s Eamon Dooley, who currently represents the Birr electoral area, has been a member of the local authority since 1993, when he filled the vacancy on the council following the passing of his father. Eddie Joe, who himself had been a member of the council for 43 years.

Danny Owens was first elected in 2004 and has been a constant on the council ever since. The Mountbolus resident has represented the Tullamore electoral area.

Both councillors have served as Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Owens most notably in 2011 during the visit of US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle to Offaly.

Fianna Fail is holding its selection convention on July 14 for the Tullamore, Birr and Edenderry electoral areas. Nominations have closed and neither Cllr Dooley nor Owens are going forward, and it's expected that a number of female candidates will contest the next election for the party.