Robert Nash has been selected by Fine Gael to replace Maria Doyle as councillor in the Dundalk South Local Electoral Area. Robert’s selection follows the resignation of Ms Doyle in February.
He will be formally co-opted to Louth County Council at the local authority’s monthly meeting next Monday. Robert, a firefighter with Louth County Council Fire and Rescue, is married to Tara and they have five children. He is vice chairman and underage mentor of Na Piarsaigh Blackrock GAA club and underage soccer coach with Bay FC, and is also an active member of bay estate residents committee and Avenue Road Development Group.
Robert said: “I got involved in Fine Gael as my great grandfather, James (Duker) Coburn, was a founder member of the party in 1933. “He was successful in seven successive elections from 1933 up until 1951.
After his death in 1954, his son George won the subsequent by-election, still the only by-election in Louth to this day. “George left politics in 1957 and emigrated to England but the love of politics was passed down to me. “James Coburn was a hard worker, a trade unionist. He believed the working person should be looked after. These are values very close to my own heart.
“I thoroughly enjoy working and developing the young people in my area. The younger generation are our future. “They must be included – be it in sport or politics. I believe community engagement and outlets for teenagers require better development in our area and I will advocate strongly for this.
“I firmly believe that to be successful in the next local elections, we need dynamic candidates who appeal to and engage with younger voters. “The younger generation are more interested than ever in politics and I believe I am the right candidate in Dundalk South to engage with them and continue to develop our communities,” Robert concluded.
