Tag Archives: election

Councillor Cathal Crowe may become one of the youngest public representatives to contest the next general election in Clare but he chose an old style Fianna Fáil rally-type event to officially launch his bid on Wednesday afternoon. Standing on an open top trailer surrounded by political posters from the last three local elections, Councillor Crowe also turned back the clock by launching his election campaign outside the home of the last Dáil deputy from South-East Clare, Paddy Brennan. The fact that the Brennans were Free Staters and staunch Cumann na nGaedheal members didn’t deter the 34-year-old from declaring his intention to run in the next general election at Brennan’s Cross in Meelick. The passionate historian recalled that while on the run, the Brennans often took shelter at his grandparents’ house in Woodcock Hill, just three miles from the cross. With former Clare hurler Niall Gilligan providing the warm-up speech, Councillor Crowe then outlined his vision. “For 95 years, this corner …

Fine Gael’s Martin Conway will be Clare’s sole representative in the Seanad. The Ennistymon man successfully retained his seat on the Administrative Panel of Seanad Éirean. He was first elected to this panel in 2011 and was the Seanad spokesperson on Justice, Disability and Equality. He is the first visually impaired member of the Oireachtas. Conway’s first foray into politics was in 2004 when he won a seat on Clare County Council, representing North Clare. He was re-elected to the council in 2009, topping the poll. However, outgoing senator Tony Mulcahy from Shannon surrendered his seat. He was one of 23 candidates seeking the 11 seats on the Labour panel. He was eliminated in the sixth count. Following his unsuccessful bid Senator Mulcahy said that one of the first things he has to do is get a handle on his finances. He said that despite perceptions of politics being ultra-lucrative, most of those who have lost their Seanad seats face …

GETTING rival political parties together to form a government has been proving difficult enough in recent weeks. However, calls are now being made for politicians to cross the divide and come together to tackle a real bind. And their common foe? Cable ties that have been left all over the county on poles after the removal of election posters. Councillor James Breen has led the call for something to be done to remove the ties, which he says are still visible all over the county. “I took down any one I ever put up when I ran for election. What action is being taken to ensure that these are removed?” he asked. Councillor Ann Norton agreed, adding that the issue of posters being left up by candidates and even election posters re-appearing in previously checked areas is also a concern. The Clare Champion reported last month that Councillor Mary Howard had reported that up to 200 of her election posters …

ALTHOUGH the name of Pat Hayes will appear on the ballot papers that will issue on Monday for the forthcoming Seanad elections, the Clare county councillor will not be canvassing for election. Speaking to The Clare Champion, Councillor Hayes said that at this point in time and for personal reasons, it does not suit him to go forward. “I was honoured to get the nomination but circumstances this time didn’t allow me to canvass. I am very interested in being a candidate in the future,” he added. Last month, the East Clare councillor sought the nomination to the Seanad’s Agricultural Rural Development panel from the Irish Grain and Feed Association but then had a rethink and decided not to contest the seat. However, as the papers had been lodged, he could not formally withdraw. “I did seek the nomination and I did get a nomination and then I did seek to withdraw it. The system doesn’t allow you to withdraw …

Results of the 12th and final count results are in, Breen and Carey both elected without reaching the quota. Breen (FG) +1,796  10,088 Carey (FG) +1,984  9,915 McDonagh (FF) +833 7,762 McDonagh was excluded as the lowest remaining candidate.   Clare has returned two FG candidates (Breen and Carey), one FF (Timmy Dooley) and one independent (Michael Harty). The FG success comes about due to vote management as they actually took approximately 26% of the vote compared to FF’s 31%.

FOLLOWING the 11th count Michael McNamara has sought and been granted a full recount with less than 100 votes between himself and Michael McDonagh. Speaking about the decision to seek a recount, Mr McNamara said “It’s now half three in the morning. The gap was around 85 between myself and Michael McDonagh out of around 13,000 votes, less than 1% of the total number of votes that we both have, and McDonagh and McNamara are quite close to each other alphabetically.” He acknowledged he was disappointed with his showing. “Of course. I had a lot of work done, my constituency secretary Edel Carroll did a huge amount of work. There was a lot of talk about new politics in advance of the last election and for a few weeks afterwards. I did my best in that regard.”

NO one was elected on the tenth count, so Noleen Moran bows out and her 5,601 votes will now be distributed. Results of the tenth count; Breen (FG)  +95   7,910 Carey (FG)  +113  7,535 McDonagh (FF) +90  6,229 McNamara (Lab) +135  6,090 Moran (SF) +128   5,601.    

THE results of the eighth count are in, which was the distribution of Timmy Dooley’s surplus of 749 votes. No candidate was elected so Ann Norton, fancied by some in the early stages of the campaign before Harty’s entrance, has been eliminated. The full results of the eighth count are Harty (Ind) +155  10,843 Breen (FG) + 25  7,537 Carey (FG) +30  7,062 McDonagh (FF) +390  5,887 McNamara (Lab) +71   5,569 Moran (SF) +25  5,083 Norton (Ind) +53  3,205   Speaking after her elimination Ann Norton said she had a great experience in the campaign and said she will continue to lobby the county’s TDs in her role as a county councillor. “They’ll be continually hearing my voice over the next five years. ”