Fine Gael Drogheda Rural local election candidate Marian Agrios has pulled out of the upcoming election after it was reported that she had a developer pay her €15,000 and agree to carry out €15,000 worth of work to her home in order for her to withdraw a planning objection.
A report by The Ditch revealed that Agrios and her husband who live beside proposed development site lodged a one page objection against the plans by Wakeward Limited to built six extra residential units (where the previous owner of the site had secured planning permission for 51 units) saying that the proposal “exceeds the limit of the local area plan”.
Agios says that although her name will still appear on the ballot paper, people should not vote for her.
She released a statement confirming her intention to withdraw from the elections saying, “Following a report published online yesterday (Monday), I wish to announce I will not be contesting the 2024 Local Elections.”
“What occurred was wrong and I am extremely sorry for it. It should not have happened.
“While my name remains on the ballot paper, I now ask that voters do not consider me for election.
Once again, I apologise for what happened. It should not have occurred.”
In reaction to the revelations Fine Gael’s TD for Louth Fergus O’Dowd said he was ‘absolutely shocked and horrified’.
O’Dowd told the Drogheda Independent “To withdraw her name is 100% the right decision and I was disgusted by what I heard,”.
“I apologise to people who have been offended – people within Fine Gael have been deeply offended – but we have to move on now and get Anne Marie Ford elected in that area as she is a fine candidate,” he said.