Labour confirm new candidate in Trim area

Ballivor community activist Tracy McElhinney has been selected by the Labour Party to run for a seat in the Trim electoral area of Meath County Council in next year"s local elections. The selection convention took place last week in the Castle Arch Hotel in Trim and was chaired by Senator Dominic Hannigan. A former employee of NEC Semiconductors Ireland in Ballivor, she worked with the company for over 12 years and was a shop steward there until she was made redundant in 2006 when she set up the employment lobby group Next Era Calling with former employees and some community members - she is also the chairperson. Ms McElhinney is also public relations officer for the Ballivor Community Council and the Ballivor Horse Show. Steeped in Labour party tradition, Ms McElhinney (36) is a member of the Trim branch of the party and is one of two daughters of Pat and Della Loughlin of Ballivor. She is a granddaughter of the late Frank Coughlan , known as 'Dully" - a well-known Labour party activist and a grandniece of Jack Murtagh of Rathwire. Ms McElhinney is married to George McElhinney of Athboy and they have two sons. Labour has now chosen its candidates for three of the five electoral areas for Meath County Council. Councillor Brian Collins will run in the Kells electoral area, Eileen Drew will run in the Navan Electoral Area and Tracy McElhinney will run in Trim. The party is expected to chose its candidates for the Dunshaughlin and Slane areas within the next month.