Tag Archives: local elections

ELECTION counts often provide a few hours’ entertainment for the casual visitor, but they can be hellish for the candidates and those close to them. Last Sunday evening will surely never be forgotten by Gerry Flynn as he was announced as winner three times, but on two occasions recounts were sought, meaning a long and difficult evening for the Miltown native, who has made his home in Shannon and represented the town for many years. While he shook hands with Garret McPhillips after the initial recheck, there was no handshake between the two after the final outcome. Speaking this week, Councillor Flynn said that at that stage he was quite drained by the process. He was clearly irritated by the fact that Mr McPhillips had sought the recount after the recheck, despite the two having shaken hands. “If I shook your hand and congratulated you, I’d mean it. What’s wrong at all now, is there no substance in a handshake?” Councillor …

IN a first for any local authority, Clare County Council, together with The Clare Champion, will conduct a full live video broadcast of a local election count. The Clare Champion and Clare County Council are partnering up to produce this fully programmed live streaming broadcast, ensuring the public are kept up to date on events as they unfold from the count centre. Counting for the 2019 Local Elections will begin at Treacy’s West County Hotel on Saturday morning and continue into Sunday, after the county goes to the polls on Friday. Clare Champion editor Peter O’Connell said he is conscious that the way the general public consume news is changing and that, as a media organisation, it is important to adapt to meet that demand. “The print edition of The Clare Champion will always take priority for us but the way in which people consume media has altered radically and we want to ensure that we are at the forefront …

A MEMBER of Clare County Council left her car, which is covered in her own election branding, parked in a one hour zone in the centre of Ennis from before 10am until after 6pm last Friday. Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy’s vehicle was parked in a prominent position, right in front of Ennis Cathedral, for the day. It is an area with heavy footfall and the vehicle would have been seen by many passing pedestrians and motorists on what was a fine and sunny day. However, the car was also seen by local business people, who rely on a turnover of vehicles, which the one hour turnaround time helps with, and there was some annoyance from them. One who contacted The Clare Champion said that it was very inappropriate for a member of the council, a body which is charged with implementing the parking regulations in Ennis, to flout those regulations. Speaking to The Clare Champion on Tuesday, Councillor …

https://soundcloud.com/clarechampion/champion-report-local-election-special

The Referendum Commission has launched a nationwide campaign to encourage people to make sure they are registered to vote on the forthcoming referendum on the regulation of divorce. As part of that campaign it is encouraging people in Clare to check the register.  The referendum is taking place on Friday May 24, the same day as the European Parliament and Local Government Elections. The Referendum Commission will over the coming weeks be running TV, radio, online and social media advertising to urge people to check if they are registered at checktheregister.ie.  While the Commission’s remit covers the referendum only, being on the electoral register will allow you to vote in the referendum and the European and local elections. Chairperson of the Referendum Commission, Ms Justice Tara Burns said, “In order to vote, your name has to be on the register of electors for the address at which you normally live and checking if you are registered is really very simple, you …

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has expressed disappointment that a Bill to extend the vote to young people aged 16 and 17 was stymied on Wednesday after the Seanad voted 29-21 in favour of an amendment to delay consideration of the Bill until December 2017. The National Youth Council represents organisations working with over 380,000 young people nationwide. James Doorley, NYCI deputy director said, “Democracy delayed is democracy denied and with this amendment the Government has kicked the can down the road on this issue yet again. The timing is particularly frustrating, as losing nine months will make it very difficult for any change in legislation to be in effect in time for the 2019 Local and European Elections.” The Electoral (Amendment) Voting at 16 Bill 2016, sponsored by Senators Warfield, Ruane and Mac Lochlainn, would have seen voting rights extended to young people aged 16 and 17 in local and European Elections. According to Mr Doorley this …

THE Clare Champion’s live coverage of the 2014 Local Elections was the most popular item on www.clarechampion.ie over the last 12 months. All the major events in Clare life were reported on the website in 2014, with thousands turning to the site as their main source of local news. In the months of January and February, the most viewed stories online related to the storms that threw the county into chaos. The Champion’s coverage included striking images showing the fallout in coastal areas, such as Lahinch, Quilty, Kilbaha, Kilkee and Spanish Point, which drew thousands of visitors. On March 25, news of the death of Ennis businessman, Jimmy Brohan was published online and read by thousands. The story about his death paid tribute to his personal warmth. “Jimmy was on first-name terms with his customers from far and near, most of whom simply enjoyed stepping back in time when they passed through the door. He will be missed as one …

BROAD power sharing of positions of responsibility on Clare County Council between the various political groupings will almost certainly continue over the next five years, although a final agreement has yet to be reached. Talks on how positions, including those of mayor and deputy mayor, are to be allocated began on Tuesday of last week and were continuing on Wednesday evening, with another meeting slated for Thursday morning. It is hoped an agreement will have been reached by the time the new council holds its first meeting this Friday afternoon. Following the local elections, Fianna Fáil has 12 seats, Fine Gael eight, Independents seven and Sinn Féin one. For the purposes of the negotiations, two representatives from Fine Gael, two from Fianna Fáil and two representing Independents/Sinn Féin are in discussions. Wednesday was the ninth time they met. It is understood one of the main stumbling blocks is due to Fine Gael and Independents/Sinn Féin having the same amount of …