The first result from a Kilrush local electoral area tally area suggest current councillors are holding their own overall, and in their respective home areas.
The tally issued in the past hour reveals two current sitting Fianna Fail councillors out front with Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) on 1,008 first preference votes. Significantly, she polled strongly on her home ground of Doonbeg polling a considerable 419 votes – over double that of Dinny Gould (Ind) who polled 191 there. Cllr McInerney was co-opted to the council in January by retiring councillor Bill Chambers.
Cllr McInerney is followed by her party colleague, Cllr Cillian Murphy on 777 votes picking up 249 votes and 176 at the two Kilkee NS boxes.
However, independent candidates are next strongest in the local electoral area with Cree’s Dinny Gould (Ind) on 747 (191 first preferences gained from his home village) and An Cathaoirleach for West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Ian Lynch on 756. Cllr Lynch picked up 417 votes in his hometown of Kilrush.
Meanwhile, current government parties are faring well with Fine Gael’s Cllr Gabriel Keating showing 585 first preferences, Lissycasey’s Alan Troy (FF) is on 439, and Michael Shannon (FF) on 414.
New Fine Gael candidate, Mullagh’s Therese Doohan (FG) is currently polling at 370 votes ahead of Kilrush hairdresser, Dawn Bennett (SF) on 285.
Kevin Hassett (II) from Kilkee is polling at 274 votes, Susan Griffin (GP) 216, Joe Woulfe (II) 179, and John Hill (IFP) on 153.
Sharon Dolan D’Arcy covers West Clare news. After completing a masters in journalism at University of Galway, Sharon worked as a court reporter at the Sligo Weekender. She was also editor of the Athenry News and Views.