Fine Gael vacancy on Tipperary County Council to be filled by Tom Acheson

Tom Acheson (far right) after his selection at the Fine Gael convention on Monday night with Senator Garret Ahearn, Cllr John Fitzgerald and Deputy Michael Murphy

placeholder image — Tom Acheson (far right) after his selection at the Fine Gael convention on Monday night with Senator Garret Ahearn, Cllr John Fitzgerald and Deputy Michael Murphy

Clonmel Fine Gael convention

Tom Acheson has won the contest within Fine Gael to take over the seats left vacant by Deputy Michael Murphy following his election to Dáil Eireann.

He emerged the winner within the party at a convention held in Clonmel on Monday night.

Tom Acheson, who served as a member of Tipperary South County Council from 2009 to 2014, beat off the opposition from former councillor Joe Leahy and party member Breid Greene.

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Up to 80 delegates attended the convention in Raheen House Hotel on Monday evening.

Tom Acheson received just over 50% of the vote with Breid Greene coming second and Joe Leahy third.

He will be nominated to take the seat previously held on Tipperary County Council by Michael Murphy at a special meeting of Tipperary County Council on Thursday morning.