Forkan is early favourite to replace departing Mayo councillor

THE selection process to co-opt a new Fianna Fáil member to Mayo County Council will start imminently.

The vacancy is arising after Swinford-based Councillor Michael Smyth announced his early retirement last week after serving nine years on the authority.

One of the early names emerging as a possible replacement is Adrian Forkan from Kiltimagh.

Hailing from a family steeped in the FF tradition, Forkan has good knowledge of the electoral area having been Smyth's director of elections for the last three elections.

He is well known locally through the GAA, having played with Kiltimagh and Swinford and having spells in management too. He has also been involved in soccer circles in both, as well as featuring with the Mayo GAA Masters.

Nominations for the council vacancy will open within the next two weeks.

Sources indicate Forkan's name is being put forward by both the Swinford and Kiltimagh cumanns, which he will then have to make a decision on accepting.

Other cumanns, including Foxford, are also expected to put forward candidates for members at the Swinford electoral area convention to vote on.

The expectation is that the new member will be installed for the May meeting of the council, giving them nearly a year in the role before the 2024 local elections.