Tag Archives: general election

Clare Fianna Fáil got their General Election strategy wrong, according to former Defence Minister and Fianna Fáil Deputy, Tony Killeen. His views are at odds with those of local Fianna Fáil director of elections, Gerry Reidy, who believes the entry of Dr Michael Harty into the Dáil race cost the party two seats. Speaking during a General Election debate, organised by The Clare Champion in Cáirde, Ennis, on Monday night, Mr Killeen said, “A lot of Fianna Fáil people are very exercised by the fact we got almost 3,000 more first preferences than Fine Gael and, even allowing for a slightly better transfer to Fine Gael from Labour, we only won one seat. “One person described it as a ‘monumental failure’. I don’t agree with him. The first step for Fianna Fáil in Clare is to admit we got it wrong. “I said previously that if we didn’t divide the vote more evenly, we would be in trouble and, if …

THREE of the four TDs addressed the crowd at the count centre in the Falls Hotel, with Timmy Dooley the sole absentee. Acknowledging  things didn’t look good a few weeks ago Joe Carey said, “When the Clare Champion poll came out we were fairly down. People said we’ll give you a vote but you probably don’t have a chance,” he said  of the poll that predicted his political demise. He quipped, “I’d like to say thank you to the Clare Champion,” something that was met with cheers and laughter from his supporters, who were in flying form after their man’s win. Pat Breen said it it was “a very difficult campaign” and promised the four TDs will work for the county which he says must benefit from the recovery. Michael Harty praised his team, saying sometimes there were more people involved than places to canvass such was the support. He praised everyone who put their name forward saying it takes …

AFTER Michael McDonagh’s votes were examined it became clear there was no need for a further recount, an exhausted Michael McNamara acknowledged this morning, as he exited the race. The gap of 85 was reduced to 81, but it wasn’t enough and a haggard looking McNamara admitted recent weeks have taken a toll on him. “I’ve been exhausted for about two weeks now. It’s hard, people who haven’t been in an election campaign mightn’t realise quite how hard it can be, physically demanding. But I’m not unique in that, no doubt there are 15 other candidates who are equally exhausted.” Reflecting on his five years in the Dáil, the Scariff man said, “I personally think the country is in a better place than it was in 2011. Not as good as I’d like but much better than it was. I’ll take pride in the fact that I supported a Government that left the country in a better place and also …

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.    

MICHAEL Harty has had a huge impact on this election and he has just been elected following the ninth count, picking up 1,119 votes from Ann Norton.   Harty (Ind) +1119   11962-Elected Breen (FG) +278  7815 Carey (FG) +360 7422 McDonagh (FF) +252 6139 McNamara (Lab) +386  5955 Moran (SF) +390 5437

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. ”  

Finally the first candidate has been elected as Timmy Dooley exceeded the quota on the seventh count. The results of the count were, Dooley (FF) +1,378   12,150 Harty (Ind) +328  10,688 Breen (FG) +92 7,512 Carey (FG) + 138  7,032 McDonagh (FF) +441  5,497 Moran (SF) +101  5058 Norton (Ind) +170  3,152   Timmy Dooley exceeded the quota by 749. That amount of votes are being distributed as his supporters celebrate. Only one vote separates the two Michaels, McDonagh and McNamara. Neither of them look like winning a seat though.

  The results of the sixth count, which consisted of the distribution of Fergal Smith’s votes, were, Breen (FG)  +83  7,420 Carey (FG) +116  6,894 Colleran Molloy (FF) +56  2,880 Dooley (FF) +148  10,772 Harty (Ind) +520 10,360 McDonagh (FF) +59 5,056 McNamara (Lab) +549  5,347 Moran (SF) +293  4,957 Norton (Ind) +296 2982 As a result Clare Colleran Molloy is eliminated. Michael McNamara has now overtaken Michael McDonagh for the first time and is 289 votes ahead of him. Timmy Dooley is likely to be the main beneficiary from Clare Colleran Molloy’s exit and may be elected on the next count.