Independent TD Kevin “Boxer” Moran (57) previously served as a TD for the Longford-Westmeath constituency from 2016 to 2020 and served as Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief from 2017.

However, in 2020 Mr Moran lost his Dáil seat and his bid to replace the seat vacated by his son Jamie on Westmeath County Council less than two years later, was also unsuccessful.

Redemption came in June’s local elections where he secured almost 3,800 first preferences in the Athlone electoral area.

The Athlone-based taxi driver is married to Michelle Fagg and they have two children. He has been involved in flood relief efforts and has been an advocate for rural communities, focusing on issues such as employment, job creation, family debt relief, reducing rural crime, and protecting family farms.