Fine Gael local election candidate Marian Agrios has withdrawn from the local elections.
Marian Agrios pictured with Taoiseach Simon Harris last month.
A Louth Fine Gael candidate has dramatically withdrawn from the local election race after confirming she had received money from a builder to withdraw her objection to a housing development near her home in Termonfeckin.
Marian Dwyer-Agrios has issued a statement on social media confirming Monday's report from The Ditch and has asked voters not to select her as a councilor for Drogheda Rural.
“Following a report published online yesterday (Monday), I would like to announce that I will not be standing in the 2024 local elections.
“What happened was wrong and I am deeply sorry. It shouldn't have happened.
“While my name remains on the ballot, I now ask that voters not consider me an election.
Once again I apologize for what happened. It shouldn't have happened.
I will make no further comment on this matter.”
Explanation: Local elections 2024
The report outlines how a developer applied to Louth County Council for permission in October 2019 to build six additional residential units at the Balfeddock Manor development in Termonfeckin.
Fine Gael's Marian Agrios, who lives next to the new housing estate, is understood to have lodged a one-page objection to the development on November 24, 2019.
The only reason for the objection would be that the increase in the number of proposed homes “exceeds the limit of the environmental plan”.
Marian Agrios pictured with Taoiseach Simon Harris last month.
The developer received permission, but Marian Agrios was still able to appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
The Ditch report says the builder agreed to pay Agrios €15,000 in cash and carry out €15,000 worth of work on her home in return for withdrawing her objection to the Termonfeckin development, according to a legal agreement signed by Jan. 20 signed by both parties. , 2020”.
Fine Gael's TD for Louth Fergus O'Dowd said he was 'absolutely shocked and horrified' by what had happened, saying she had taken the only course of action.
“Withdrawing her name is 100% the right decision and I was disgusted by what I heard,” Deputy O'Dowd told the Drogheda Independent. “I apologize to people who have been offended – people within Fine Gael are deeply offended – but we must now move on and ensure that Anne Marie Ford is elected in that area as she is a fine candidate.”
Ms Dwyer-Agrios did not respond to calls or requests for further comment.