Conlon in mix for Coyle's council seat

The Anglo-Celt understands that former FF TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Margaret Conlon, is likely to be one of the candidates bidding to succeed the late Seamus Coyle on Monaghan County Council.

Cllr Coyle, aged 56, died suddenly at his home on August 17 last and the FF organisation in the Ballybay-Clones Municipal District area he represented are expected to hold a selection convention in the coming weeks to determine the party representative to be co-opted to the local authority as his replacement. The process was deferred until after the month’s memory mass for the late councillor, which took place in his native Latton area last Friday.

Margaret Conlon, who held a FF Dáil seat in Cavan/Monaghan from 2007 to 2011, is believed to be strongly considering seeking the nomination, while a representative from the Latton area, Rory Ward, has emerged as another likely candidate. Others being mentioned as potential candidates include Martina Durkan, an unsuccessful FF runner in Ballybay-Clones in the 2024 local government elections, and Therese Hamilton from Ballybay, a party activist and a prominent figure in the town’s civic and business sectors.

It is understood that the candidate selected will be put forward for formal co-option at the November meeting of Monaghan County Council.

Seamus Coyle had a 22-year record of service on Monaghan County Council and was a formidable local election performer for FF, topping the poll in his electoral area in the 2014, 2019 and 2024 contests. In 2024 he was elected on the first count with 1,665 first preference votes, with FF’s unsuccessful Ballybay-Clones candidates Ms Durkan and John Connolly from Scotshouse recording 417 and 274 first preferences respectively. Mr Connolly passed away in 2025.

The selected candidate will also assume the late Cllr Coyle’s seat on the Ballybay-Clones Municipal District.

Cllr Coyle was the sitting Cathaoirleach of the MD at his death, and that role has now been assumed on an interim basis by the Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Richard Truell (FG).

Upon the late Cllr Coyle’s successor taking their MD seat, an election to determine the new Cathaoirleach will take place.