For the fifth time, Independent Christy Curtin has topped the poll in his electoral area. He was elected on the first count with 42 votes to spare. He gathered 1,938 votes in the new constituency which includes much of the old Ennistymon Electoral Area.
According to Christy, the change in boundary made a considerable difference.
“The change in boundary definitely benefitted me. I am strategically located in Miltown Malbay and I worked in Kilmihil for almost 30 years, I started my career in Ennistymon but I am located well geographically and the demographic suited me,” he said.
The change brought Miltown Malbay, his home, back into the electoral area in which he was standing.
“I was extremely nervous. I was back again in my own home town after 22 years and there was a strong candidate there already and for that reason I felt nervous, but they did not let me down, they stood by me,” he said.
Councillor Curtin said he is ‘humbled’ by his strong first preference vote.
“I’m really humbled, when nearly 2,000 people come out and put their number one beside you, in the context that it was keenly contested and there were excellent candidates spread through North and West Clare now known as West Clare electoral area. It is a reflection of what people want,” he concluded.
By Nicola Corless
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.