The Electoral Chair: Kilrush local electoral area election outcome analysed

*Cllr Dinny Gould (IND) was the first candidate elected in the Kilrush LEA. Photograph: Joe Buckley

DUBBED as the bloodbath prior to the local elections, the Kilrush LEA lived up to its billing.

By claiming the scalp of incumbent Cillian Murphy (FF), regarded as one of the top performing councillors following his election in 2019, the Kilrush LEA was the scene of one of the biggest local election casualties in Clare.

First-time candidate Cllr Dinny Gould (IND) was first elected while Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) delivered a poll-topping performance, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND)’s vote rising from 1,026 to 1,318, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) hangs on despite a drop in vote and Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) prevails twenty years on from his last run for office.

Looking back on how it all went, Páraic McMahon is joined by Patrick Keane (FF), Patricia McCarthy (IND) and Paul Bugler (FG).

On the agenda:

• Location location location
• Difficulties of holding a seat in West Clare
• Fianna Fáil got it wrong by running four candidates
• Selection convention mistakes
• Democracy the worst form of Government apart from all the rest
• Kilrush’s lesson of maintaining representation
• Could Fine Gael go back to Dinny Gould having messed up by not recruiting him
• Recognition for Rita
• Kilmurry Ibrickane were bound to elect one of three and it went to Michael Shannon
• Gabriel Keating can thank Fianna Fáil for saving his seat
• Alan Troy’s run
• Geographical imbalance with make-up of the West Clare MD