Crucial constituencies: Longford-Westmeath

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024 - 17:28

Tomas Doherty

Longford-Westmeath will see the main parties and Independent candidates battle it out for an extra seat after the constituency expanded in size and population.

Here is everything you need to know about the area before heading to the polls on November 29th.

The constituency

Longford-Westmeath has grown in size and gained an extra seat since the last election.

The constituency now includes 19 electoral divisions in the eastern part of Westmeath that were previously in Meath West.

The main towns are Mullingar, Athlone and Longford. The population is 142,972.

The issues

There has been a big increase in population in both counties, particularly in some Westmeath commuter towns.

Transport, health and childcare are the main issues in these growing areas.

Immigration has also been a concern for some in the constituency. Protests have been taking place in recent weeks in opposition to plans to accommodate 1,000 male asylum seekers on a site near Athlone. A group of councillors are seeking legal advice to challenge the plans.

Seats

There are five seats in Longford-Westmeath, an increase of one since the 2020 election.

The candidates

Fine Gael’s Peter Burke is attempting to get re-elected here and hoping his party will take another seat after failing to last time.

Ryanair boss and Westmeath local Michael O’Leary gave Mr Burke his endorsement at the launch of his re-election campaign in Mullingar, where the two men live.

However, comments by Mr O’Leary about teachers ("I wouldn’t generally employ a lot of teachers to go out and get things done") prompted laughter from some gathered at the event and were then met with criticism from across the political spectrum.

Mr O’Leary said he would give his second preference to Fianna Fáil candidate Robert Troy.

Mr Troy made headlines in 2022 when he resigned as a junior minister after failing to correctly declare his property interests.

Independent candidate Keven 'Boxer' Moran is hoping to regain his seat after losing out in 2020. Sinn Féin’s Sorca Clarke topped the poll in the last election and will likely hold her seat again.