Tag Archives: donal higgins

FIVE years ago, Fianna Fáil was in meltdown and the grassroots membership in Clare in open revolt. Bedevilled by ongoing controversy and the country in financial crisis, such political embarrassment was always going to stimulate a ballot box backlash, and it did. The political turmoil presented a window of opportunity for Fine Gael to make political gains, and they did. For the first time since the formation of the state, Fine Gael became the controlling party in Clare County Council holding 12 of the 32 seats, one more then their long-standing rivals. Fianna Fáil paid a high price for the economic hardship they foisted on the nation through poor judgement calls and downright bad management. Their vote in Clare dropped to an all-time low of just 35.5%, down almost 15% from the 1999 elections. Conversely, Fine Gael’s stock rose. Their first preference vote jumped from 26.66% in 1999, when they held eight seats, to the 2009 level of 34.2%. Clare’s …

The president’s nephew has joined the local election race in Clare. Donal Higgins, nephew of President Michael D Higgins, submitted his papers to the returning officer at Clare county council on Saturday morning, ahead of the midday deadline. Born and reared in Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Mr Higgins is looking forward to the challenge of local politics. Mr Higgins became involved in the Labour Party’ Shannon branch in 2011. He campaigned in the general election for Deputy Michael McNamara and in the presidential campaign of his uncle. This is Donal Higgins’ first time standing for election. The 35-year-old grew up on the family farm in Ballycar, where he went to school before attending St Caimin’s Community School. Mr Higgins worked in Dell for six years before becoming unemployed. He did an internship in Zimmer in Shannon and is now a machinist with the company. Mr Higgins is currently completing a degree in science technology in University of Limerick. He is married to …