North Leitrim councillors Frank Dolan and Sean McDermott announce their retirement

In a joint statement the two sitting Fine Gael councillors, Frank Dolan and Sean McDermott announced that they have decided not to seek a nomination at the forthcoming selection convention which takes place on Sunday, November 26 in the Bee Park Community Centre, Manorhamilton.

Cllr Frank Dolan was first elected as a member of Leitrim County Council in June 1999 and was subsequently elected over the next 5 local elections.

Frank was honoured to be elected Cathaoirleach of Leitrim Council in 2010-2011 and was elected as the Cathaoirleach of the Border, Midland, and Western Regional Assembly in July 2012.

Cllr Dolan served as Chair of the Manorhamilton Municipal District on two occasions during his term.

“After a term of 25 years I have decided to retire and allow the opportunity for the party to select a new team to contest the 2024 local elections”, stated Cllr Dolan.

Cllr Frank Dolan

“I am pleased to have seen much progress in the North Leitrim area since I was first elected in 1999 including our road infrastructure and community facilities, many of which I campaigned for funding over the years.

“I am pleased to see progress on so many projects including the urban renewal works in Manorhamilton and the new Dromahair library which I hope to see opened before I leave this position next June,” stated Frank.

“I was honoured to continue the representation and the work by the previous councillor from this area, Joe McLoughlin.

“I wish to thank my wife Pat and family for their loyal support and indeed to my many loyal supporters who campaigned with me and for me over the years”, declared Cllr Dolan.

Cllr Sean McDermott was first elected to Leitrim County Council in June 2004. Based in Glenfarne Sean succeeded Charlie Cullen who represented the area from 1967 to 1999.

Sean served as Cathaoirleach of the local authority in the years 2013-2014 and was elected as Chair of the Manorhamilton Municipal District on two occasions.

Cllr McDermott was a member of ICBAN during his time as an elected member and was honoured to serve as Chair of this cross-border body.

Cllr Sean McDermott

“It was a great honour for me to represent the people of Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher and the wider Manorhamilton area for the past 19 years.

“My ambition was to carry on the work of Charlie Cullen to ensure this area of North Leitrim progressed.

“I was thrilled to witness the huge investment in the N16 roadway and the improvement in safety measures especially, and to see the development of the Rainbow Ballroom Centre through government funding supported by local fundraising.

“My ambition was to improve the local infrastructure for the residents and visitors to our communities and I am confident that was achieved since 2004.

“I now look forward to seeing progress and completion on other projects that I was glad to champion including the SLNR greenway and Glenfarne Forest and Lake development to name but two.

“In conclusion, I want to acknowledge the assistance of the Fine Gael party members and my own local supporters and not least my wife Maureen and family who were a magnificent support to me as a public representative”.

Both councillors expressed the hope that Fine Gael would hold two seats in the Manorhamilton electoral area so that government funding can continue to flow in the coming years to further develop North Leitrim as a tourist destination and a place many people can return to live and work in.