Labour's Lar is on his "last hurrah"

Labour councillor Lar Byrne won’t be seeking election to the municipal authority that is to replace Tullamore Town Council next year.

Cllr Byrne made the announcement at the September meeting of Tullamore Town Council, which was held yesterday evening (Tuesday, September 10).

Cllr Byrne told the local Labour branch of his decision on Monday, it’s understood.

“This is my last hurrah,” Cllr Byrne told his fellow councillors in Tullamore Town Hall just before the monthly meeting broke up.

Cllr Byrne, who followed in his father’s and his grandfather’s footsteps in becoming a councillor, will have served as a councillor for a total of 15 years when Tullamore Town Council ceases to exist next year.

He said he made the decision after speaking to his wife and three children, and said he’s “as happy as Larry” with it.

Cllr Byrne said he’s met “wonderful people” during his tenure as councillor, and praised the people of Tullamore.

“I’ve had my ups; I’ve had my downs,” he said, adding that to follow on as a councillor after his late father - also Lar Byrne - “has been brilliant”.

“It was a personal decision,” Cllr Byrne said. “I hope people will respect me for that.”