Tony Mulcahy wins seat in the Seanad

Fine Gael’s Tony Mulcahy has been elected to the Labour Panel of the Seanad.

After two counts, Mr Mulcahy was in third place among the Fine Gael candidates. It seems certain the party will take four, if not five, seats on the panel.
Speaking to the ’Champion from the count centre, the Shannon councillor said he felt he had performed well.
At the time of going to press, three other Clare-based candidates were still in the hunt for seats.
Declan Kelleher from Kilnaboy is looking for a seat on the university panel, but on Wednesday evening it looked like he would miss out, although he is set to poll well.
Mr Kelleher was actually at the INTO Congress in Sligo on Wednesday and said the information he had received from the count centre suggested he would just lose out.
“I’ve just got the tally figures. There were 27 candidates in the race for three seats and it looks as if I’ll be fourth in the first count and it could well stay that way.”
He said he had received a very good level of support, but felt he was likely to fall a little short.
Sixmilebridge councillor John Crowe is running for a seat on the industrial and commercial panel but counting for it wasn’t expected to start until late last night or early on Thursday.
“I felt I did a good canvass and I gave it my best shot. It definitely helped to have run the last time, but it’s a funny election and it’s hard to call. It all depends on the first count, if you’re well up there then you’ve a good chance,” he commented.
North Clare’s Martin Conway is looking for a seat on the public administration panel. “I am waiting to see what the result will be. I feel confident,” Councillor Conway told The Clare Champion on Wednesday.
“I feel I got a great response from people and I am hopeful that I will be elected to the Seanad,” he went on.
Councillor Conway is likely to find out on Friday if he has been successful in Senate run.