It comes following the early retirement of Councillor Tom Mulhall.
PJ Kelly has been chosen to fill the vacant seat on Laois County Council.
It comes following the early retirement of Fine Gael's Tom Mulhall, who had served since 2009.
An online ballot was held within the party today to select his successor - with Kelly defeating Vivienne Phelan.
Councillor Kelly, from Ballybrittas, will represent the Grangecullen Portarlington municipal district.
He will be officially co-opted at the next meeting of Laois County Council on Monday 26th April.
Cllr. Kelly said:
“I am honoured to serve on Laois County Council and continue on some of the fantastic work of Tom Mulhall.
“I will work hard on local issues such as rural road maintenance, tackling illegal dumping and bringing projects initiated by Tom, like the sewerage system in Ballybrittas, over the line.
“I look forward to working with the people of the area.”
Cllr. Kelly, a farmer, is treasurer of Courtwood GAA and a former chairman of the club, as well as of St Conleth’s ladies’ football and St Paul’s juvenile club.
Married to May and father to Alison, Rachel and Liam, he's a long-time Fine Gael member and has canvassed for the party for a number of years with current and past TDs including Charlie Flanagan, Martin Heydon, Olwyn Enright and Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy.
Offaly Business Misses Out On Major Investment
Midlands Homeowners Urged To Future Proof Homes At Upcoming Home And Energy Show
Laois Groups Shortlisted For €10k Community Champions Award
Traffic Disruption In Portarlington Due To Long-Term Road Works
Council Says Priority Roads Treated First During Cold Snap
Plans Submitted To Convert Laois Nursing Home Into Broadcasting Studios
Laois County Council Refuses Planning Permission For Solar Farm
The True Origins Of Nollaig na mBan In Ireland
Offaly Shop Owner Warned Of An Post Machine Breakdown Ahead Of Fibre Switchover
Home Care Provider Announces New Caregiving Roles Across Midlands
Midlands Rep Calls Out ‘Unnacceptable’ Grant Rules Leaving Elderly Woman In Cold
Second Midlands Hospital Urges Patients To Consider Other Treatment Options
Enoch Burke To Take Legal Action Against Appeals Panel
Calls For Garda Investigation After Recovery Of Dead Horse In Westmeath
Gardaí Appeal For Information After €6k Power Tool Theft In Laois
Venezuelan Man In Laois Welcomes End Of Maduro Regime
Enoch Burke Considering Legal Challenge Against Disciplinary Appeal Panel
Offaly Hospital Opens Additional Beds
Status Yellow Weather Warnings Remain In Place For Midlands
Planning Permission For Midlands Hospice Approved