LAST UPDATE | 30 Nov 2024

WILLIAM ‘WILLIE’ AIRD has topped the poll in Laois and been elected to the Dáil after 45 years as a councillor.

On the first count, Aird got 9,269 – putting him ahead of two sitting TDs, Seán Fleming (8,123) and Brian Stanley (6,782).

This put Aird just a few hundred beneath the quota of 9,570. On the fifth count, Aird made the breakthrough and was elected to Dáil Éireann with 9,619 votes.

The farmer and long-time councillor never ran for the Dáil before as it was Charlie Flanagan’s seat.

Flanagan was first elected as a TD in 1987 and won re-election several times in what was considered a safe seat for Fine Gael.

Vote No. 1 William Aird for Laois#GE24 pic.twitter.com/saHb7pzGkG

— Cllr William Aird (@cllrwilliamaird) November 28, 2024

The former justice minister announced last year he was not seeking re-election, paving the way for Aird to finally run for a seat.

Aird was chosen as Fine Gael’s candidate in the constituency in September, and Flanagan endorsed him in a campaign video. 

Laois-Offaly was previously a five-seat constituency, but both counties are now individual three-seat constituencies.

A public rep since 1979

Aird has been a public representative since 1979, when he was first elected to Portlaoise Town Commission as the then-youngest Fine Gael representative in Ireland.

Following his election to Laois County Council and Portlaoise Town Commission in 1985, he has successfully contested each election since – he topped the poll in the Portlaoise Electoral Area in the last five local elections.

Throughout my political career, I have proudly represented Laois thanks to the ongoing support of the people. I am asking you to place your confidence in me once again this Friday as I bid to become a TD for our great county.#GE24 pic.twitter.com/zSdoE4n2xn

— Cllr William Aird (@cllrwilliamaird) November 26, 2024

In a recent interview with Laois Today, Aird said: “I didn’t give [the Dáil] much thought over the years when Charlie was in place.

“He has been a great representative – as was his father before him – but I remember the day well when he announced his retirement. I thought ‘this has to be my time’.

“There were floods of people on to me saying ‘now is your time to go for it’. There was huge encouragement.”

Independent Brian Stanley – who topped the poll for Sinn Féin in 2020 – left the party mired in controversy last month.

A complaint was made against Stanley during the summer that initiated an inquiry within Sinn Féin. Stanley has denied any wrongdoing and made a counter-allegation.