Colin Dalton 'delighted, honoured and privileged' to be co-opted to Longford County Council

Colin Dalton has said he is "delighted, honoured and privileged" to be selected by Fine Gael and co-opted to Longford County Council to replace Senator Paraic Brady.

The Ballinalee native secured the highest number of votes to defeat his two rivals Cian Brady and Kathleen McGahern at the party's packed selection convention in Colmcille Community Centre in Aughnacliffe on Thursday night.

More than 200 local Fine Gael members in the Granard Local Electoral Area were eligible to vote and the majority of that cohort had their say in the north county Longford ballot.

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Mr Dalton was proposed by Sean McKeon and seconded by Enda Dalton as he was confirmed as a candidate.

"I'm delighted, honoured and privileged to be back to work for the people of the Granard Municipal District area and I'm thanking all of my voters and my supporters and it's a good, healthy sign to see a great turnout and I'm wishing Cian and Kathleen the best of luck.

"I served four years and I lost out narrowly in the local elections last year and it was a good healthy sign to see the community centre in Aughnacliffe packed and to coming back onto Longford County Council.

"I'd like to thank all the Granard Municipal area members for coming out and all the members who supported me and my Ballinalee branch for nominating me.

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Mr Dalton was co-opted to Longford County Council in May, 2020 to replace Micheál Carrigy who was elected to the Seanad and he has over four years experience of being a public representative.

"Now that I am back elected I am looking forward to working with the people of the Granard Municipal area.