Elections 2024: Retirements open up the field in two of the county districts

Fifth and sixth-class pupils from St Mary's NS, Croom, were busy preparing posters encouraging everyone to get out and vote!

placeholder image — Fifth and sixth-class pupils from St Mary's NS, Croom, were busy preparing posters encouraging everyone to get out and vote!

THE COUNTY is primed for some ferocious battles with a large number of new names on the ballot papers hoping to make their mark and gain a seat in their local area.

In total, across Adare-Rathkeale, Cappamore-Kilmallock, and Newcastle West, there are 19 seats available and there are 37 candidates all vying for those elusive seats.

In two out of the three county districts, there will certainly be change, as both Cappamore-Kilmallock, and Adare-Rathkeale are losing two councillors each to retirements.

In Cappamore- Kilmallock, Gerald Mitchell, who is also the current mayor, and John Egan are both retiring.

Meanwhile, in Adare-Rathkeale, Kevin Sheahan and Emmett O’Brien are also retiring.

The retirements of such well-established councillors really pulls the doors wide open for new councillors to come into the area and make a meaningful impact with their campaigns, but the competition is stiff.

In Adare-Rathkeale, there are eleven candidates going for six seats.

Meanwhile, in Cappamore-Kilmallock, there are fourteen candidates going for seven seats.

Newcastle West then has the current sitting six councillors all looking to retain their seats, as well as another six new candidates all putting their best foot forward.

Each of the districts cover a vast area with a number of challenges in each.

Some of these challenges could apply to any area, while some districts face obstacles unique to that place.

The challenges range from antisocial behaviour, housing shortages and inadequate healthcare services to things like employment or transport difficulties.

Just this year, the county benefited from increased connectivity, with a number of new bus services in and out of Limerick adding to the daily route for Bus Éireann.

Throughout the year, there have been high-profile job losses across the county. Road fatalities, speeding and calls for more safety measures were top of the agenda at many municipal district meetings.

The main election debates have centred around the city and the position of directly elected mayor.

Whoever succeeds in getting elected to that new role will be representing both the city and the county of Limerick.