Aspiring Laois Fine Gael man on General Election canvas in Laois and Offaly

The dissolution of the old Laois Offaly constituency hasn't stopped Laois Fine Gael county councillor from canvassing for General Election votes in the two new constituencies this time out.

Cllr Conor Bergin said he had a "great morning canvassing in Birr for John Clendennen" in the new Offaly three-seat constituency on Saturday, November 9. 

"For a new energy for Offaly, please give John your Number 1 vote on November 29," he said in a social media post. 

Cllr Clendennen is attempting to gain a Dáil foothold in Offaly which was lost at the 2020 poll when Marcella Corcoran Kennedy lost her Dáil seat. He is an Offaly county councillor.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live asked Cllr Bergin if he was canvassing in Laois for Cllr Willie Aird, the Fine Gael candidate across the border. MORE BELOW X POST.

Great morning canvassing in Birr for ⁣@johnclendennen in the General Election.

For a new energy for Offaly, please give John your Number 1 vote on November 29th!@FineGael pic.twitter.com/kcQ7dmysQx

— Councillor Conor Bergin (@ConorGBergin) November 9, 2024

The Borris-in-Ossory native responded.

"I’m out canvassing actively for Willie for the last few weeks," he said.

As evidence, he also sent some pictures of him canvassing with Cllr Aird and other Fine Gael men including Paddy Buggy. All three were rival candidates in the race to win the Fine Gael General Election nomination at the candidate selection Convention earlier this year.

Cllr Bergin said he was on the campaign trail on November 9 in Mountrath canvassing for Cllr Aird as "our General Election candidate". More BELOW PICTURES.

Mr Buggy withdrew before the nomination process began at the convention. Cllr Bergin announced he was withdrawing halfway through his nomination speech after he'd been nominated and proposed. 

All were vying to win the vacancy created by the withdrawal of former Laois Offaly TD and Minister Charlie Flanagan.

Cllr Bergin was one of the top local election performers in Laois for Fine Gael when he retain his seat on Laois County Council in the Borris-in-Ossory Municipal District.

There are ten candidates in the Laois General election race. Cllr Aird, who is a Portlaoise-based councillor, is one of the favourites alongside Seán Fleming of Fianna Fáil.

Laois and Offaly were split by the Electoral Commission due to population growth.