Dixie down, but not out

WHILE still recovering from recent heart surgery, 61-year-old independent county councillor Dixie Doyle has never thought about bowing out.

With five years as an independent councillor under his belt, Mr Doyle is hopeful of another term in office.

The often outspoken farmer from Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, takes his task seriously and has put in a tough, albeit short campaign.

He admits he is still in recovery mode after surgery, which has left him about two weeks behind schedule.

"People around here know who I am and what I stand for. My record speaks for itself. The campaign is going well. I was out sick for a bit but I'm making up the ground.

It has been a prosperous few years for Thomastown and the benefits of the recent economic boom have spread to the area.

In the past three years 200 new homes have been built in the area, there's a new creche, a refurbished car park and more on-street lighting.

"I've fought for the people of Thomastown and they know that. Planning is and will be a huge issue for people what with trying to get planning permission on their own sites and the like."

And what about his own planning issue and the controversy with his near neighbour and campaign rival, Judith Ashton?

"That's in the past and I can say no more about that because it's in the High Court soon. She has a completely different base of voters to me and won't have an impact on my vote.

"It has been a tough campaign, particularly on account of my health."