*Ruairรญ Keenan. Photograph: Tom Micks.ย
CLAREโs youngest candidate to have contested the local elections has said the campaign has affirmed his love for politics.
Twenty one year old, Ruairรญ Keenan (IND) polled 399 first preference votes in his first run for office.
Of the thirteen candidates in the field for the Ennis Municipal District, he lasted until the fifth count and was the fourth to be eliminated, surviving longer than Seamus Ryan (LAB), Amanda Major (IND) and Jacek Kazimierz Kwaลny (IND).
Speaking to The Clare Echo following his elimination, Ruairรญ remarked, โI feel incredible, when I was coming into this tonight I expected to go out on the first count but I survived to the fifth count, to beat major political parties (Labour) is quite the feat for me, I came in with humble ambitions but to very much over exceed those expectations. I entered late, I wasnโt really known, I was Independent, Iโm twenty one years of age, Iโm untested but people clearly had confidence in me. I didnโt get a seat on the Council but thatโs for five years time, Iโve five years to prepare now because I will run againโ.
โI couldnโt tell you, I donโt know what Iโll be doing tomorrow,โ he said when asked of his plans to go about increasing his vote and profile prior to the 2029 local elections. โIt is a 100 percent guarantee (to run in 2029) unless I become a TD or some higher office. Iโve always loved politics but it is a sport for me now, Iโve had a taste for the blood and now Iโm a shark honing inโ.
Support from his parents Kevin and Margaret has been a constant on the campaign for the Oakleigh Wood resident. Overall he said the experience was โincredibleโ. He added, โIโve been here since 09:39 this morning, weโre getting to midnight now so itโs been a long enough dayโ.
