Clare Independent Deputy Michael McNamara has made history by becoming the first local MEP in 35 years with an impressive electoral success in Ireland South.
The East Clare deputy won the third-highest number of votes after five gruelling days of counting.
Going into the final count Deputy McNamara had 87,542 votes ahead of Kathleen Funchion on 82,508, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú on 75,900, Mick Wallace on 73,947 and Grace O’Sullivan, Green Party, 69,197.
Following the 20th count, Deputy McNamara 92,871, Ní Mhurchú 92,502 and Funchion 90,070 were elected without reaching the quota.
Following the redistribution of Grace O’Sullivan’s votes, Ní Mhurchú confirmed her lead over Wallace, who lost his seat in the European Parliament.
Outgoing MEP Sean Kelly (FG) topped the poll in the first count while another MEP Billy Kelleher, (FF) had to wait until the 18th count to be the second candidate to pass the quota.
Former IFA President Paddy Lane, Parteen, was elected to the European Parliament in 1989 until 1994 when he lost his re-election bid.
The Scariff public representative finished with 56,339 first preferences after the first count.
Tally returns suggest that the former Labour Deputy secured more than half of the overall votes in some parts of Clare in an election with 22 other candidates including political heavyweights like outgoing MEP’s Sean Kelly, Fine Gael and Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fáil.
Once Deputy McNamara takes up his seat in the European the government will have to hold a by-election in Clare within six months.
Deputy McNamara has acknowledged it will be a massive honour to represent Clare people and other Ireland South constituents in the European parliament.
The former Labour Deputy said he is greatly honoured and overwhelmed by the vote of confidence from Clare people.
A key part of Deputy’s McNamara’s successful campaign was his decision to seek the support of Independent deputies like Mattie McGrath, Councillor Joe Hannigan and Seamus Morris in Tipperary, independent councillors and independent candidates throughout the constituency.
Despite his intensive campaign, Deputy McNamara still had to continue with his Dáil duties including a first meeting of the Drugs Commitee last week.
“It was an honour to be elected by Clare people in 2020 and I wasn’t sure I would see the inside of the Dáil again after losing my seat in 2016.
“My wife made a huge sacrifice in terms of her contribution to the campaign as campaign manager and single mother. I would like to pay tribute to the family, friends and campaign teams of every candidate given the huge effort that every candidate puts in. The sacrifice is the same for all candidates,” he said.
Deputy McNamara said it is very difficult for any Clare candidate to secure election to the European parliament because the county is located on the edge of the constituency.
“The golden rule in politics is a lot of your votes will come from the area that is closest to you. If the areas closest to you are in another constituency, it is never easy to get elected.
“This affects any Clare candidate who is trying to become an MEP. It is always an advantage to be close to the centre or in a centre of population whether it is a Local Electoral Area, Dáil or European constituency.
“The more central you are or if you are located in a large centre of population the better. A third of the Ireland South electorate are living in Cork City and County. That is also a factor,” he said.
Former Clare County Councillor Patricia McCarthy recalled when Deputy McNamara ran in the 2009 European Election he came out of nowhere and got a good vote with 12,744 first preferences.
“He was unknown at that stage but he still appealed to a percentage of the population.
“He learned from his Dáil experience. When he lost his Dáil seat, he put his head down and came back to win a seat in February 2020. He has used his time in the Dáil to great effect asking important questions.
“He decided that Europe was the place he should be asking questions not just for Clare but for the region. He has done very well in the Ireland South election.
“He tapped into the support of other Independents throughout the constituency. Some were like minded and some had different views but he recognised the role of the independent. He didn’t join Independent Ireland. But he can join a grouping to find solutions and put forward proposals.
“He resonated with other independents who rowed in behind him. Having an MEP has to be good for Clare,” she said.
Dan Danaher
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.