WATCH: Taoiseach Simon Harris launches Limerick councillor's bid to be directly elected mayor

LIMERICK councillor Daniel Butler has been endorsed by newly-elected Taoiseach Simon Harris in his candidacy to be the first directly elected mayor of Limerick. 

The Fine Gael leader and youngest-ever Taoiseach, Mr Harris, visited Limerick Racecourse in Patrickswell this Friday night - just four days after succeeding Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach. 

"I'm so delighted that Cllr Daniel Butler has allowed his name go forward, he has been an exemplary public representative for Limerick. Not only that though, he has also served as the Mayor of the city and county," said Mr Harris ahead of the party's selection convention.

"He knows what it's like to be a mayor and now with the new powers that we, in government, have given I have no doubt that he will be able to execute that office with great energy and great vigour," he added.

Cllr Butler, who is also contesting the local elections in June, said the role of the new Limerick mayor presents a “huge opportunity to drive an agenda that puts Limerick first”.

"If I am successful, I will be following in the great leadership of our Taoiseach in bringing a new energy to Limerick - people in Limerick are looking for new leadership and new energy to bring us forward. We have come through a renaissance over the past ten years but now is time to take it to another level."

While he was happy that Taoiseach Harris made an appearance in Limerick to personally endorse his candidacy, Cllr Butler said he will ultimately “challenge his government” as his loyalties lie with the “people of Limerick, not Fine Gael”. 

Mr Butler has served as a councillor since 2014 and served as Mayor of Limerick in 2021/22.

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The Limerick mayoral election will take place on Friday June 7 - the same day as both the local elections and the European Parliament elections.