Councillor set to fill vacancy on Tipperary County Council wants to see new hotel in Clonmel

Tom Acheson has won the contest within Fine Gael to take over the seats left vacant by Deputy Michael Murphy following his election to Dáil Éireann.

He emerged the winner within the party at a convention held in Clonmel on Monday night.

Tom Acheson, who served as a member of Tipperary South County Council from 2009 to 2014, beat off the opposition from former councillor Joe Leahy and party member Breid Green.

Up to 80 delegates attended the convention in Raheen House Hotel on Monday evening.

Tom Acheson received just over 50% of the vote with Breid Greene coming second and Joe Leahy third.

He will be nominated to take the seat previously held on Tipperary County Council by Michael Murphy at a special meeting on Thursday morning.

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Following his selection Tom Acheson thanked the delegates who voted for him.

Speaking after his selection Tom Acheson said he was looking forward to representing the people of Clonmel and surrounding areas.

Among his priorities will be working to see that the Clonmel Arms is developed as soon as possible.

“I will support the developer and will be asking him what public representatives can do to get the hotel opened for the town,” said Tom Acheson.

He also feels there is a need for more Garda on the streets of Clonmel and said he would be working with his colleagues to bring this about.

“A bigger presence would bring a good degree of comfort to the people of Clonmel,” he said.

Tom Acheson said he would also work with officials in Clonmel to examine why there are so many vacant houses in the town.

“There are a lot of houses in the town where good families were brought up but are now vacant. I want to know why is this happening and find out what can be done to get these houses used by families again,” said Tom Acheson.