O’Callaghan delighted to prevail in ‘election dogfight’
*Alan O’Callaghan. Photograph: Eamon Ward Securing 326 extra first preference votes in the space of five years was ‘critical’ for Alan O’Callaghan in retaining his seat on the County Council.
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McGettigan more disappointed with turnout rather than election result
*Donna Deirdre McGettigan. Photograph: Martin Connolly Eliminated on the third count of the local elections in the Ennis Municipal District, Donna Deirdre McGettigan was more downbeat with the 51 percent turnout in the constituency as opposed to the outcome.
Slattery defeat ‘takes gloss’ from otherwise fantastic campaign for Garrihy
*Joe Garrihy. Photograph: Martin Connolly Taking a seat on Clare County Council at the expense of Bill Slattery has taken a “huge gloss” off Joe Garrihy’s election success.
Chambers excited by new-look County Council
*Bill Chambers and his grandson. Photograph: Martin Connolly He’s been an elected representative on Clare County Council since 1985 and Bill Chambers is looking forward to what the next term brings with his Fianna Fáil party adding young blood in the guise of Mark Nestor and Shane Talty.
Taoiseach ‘deeply hindered’ Fine Gael’s Clare candidates – Taylor
*Mike Taylor. Photograph: Martin Connolly Comments from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar along with suggestions of co-living by Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy “deeply hindered” the prospects of Fine Gael candidates in Clare for the local elections according to one runner who felt his own liberal views decreased his West Clare vote.
Young people need to see value of settling down in North Clare – Killeen
*Joe Killeen. Photograph: Martin Connolly Upon his election to Clare County Council, Joe Killeen shared his concern for North Clare’s future and the need for it to be seen as a viable option for families to choose to live in.
Strong Independents took from Norton’s vote
*Ann Norton Having gone from being the first candidate home in 2014 to the receiving the lowest first preference of all successful Ennis Municipal District, it proved to be an emotional election for Ann Norton.
Daly endures ‘scary’ wait to retain position on Council
*Pat Daly and Clare Colleran Molloy. Photograph: Martin Connolly In the four elections he contested up until last weekend Pat Daly never had to endure a wait until the final count to secure his seat, the new experience was “scary” for the Ennis man.
More political pain for Ger O’Halloran
*Ger O’Halloran. Photograph: Martin Connolly In his second bid to become a county councillor, Ger O’Halloran once again came up short as the closest candidate to the elected bunch.
‘I’m young enough to have energy & old enough to have experience’ – Murphy
When he decided to join Fianna Fáil to contest the local elections, Cillian Murphy said “it was time”, after an unsuccessful attempt in 2004 his time has come to represent the people of West Clare on the County Council.
