O’Hara and Duffy romp home in Ballina on the first count

SITTING councillors Mark Duffy (Independent) and John O’Hara (Fine Gael) have sailed back into office on the first count in the Ballina Local Electoral Area. 

Cllr O’Hara once again topped the poll with an impressive 2,374 votes, 49 ahead of Cllr Duffy, who got 2,325 - well above the quota of 1,769.

Speaking to The Mayo News, Cllr Duffy declined to say if he would run for the Dáil in the next general election. 

Cllr O’Hara thanked all those who voted for him and called on the government to deliver the N26 bypass.

“I have been lucky. They must be happy enough with what I’m doing, to be quite honest, that’s all I can say,” he told The Mayo News.   

Their election fills two of the six seats in the Ballina Local Electoral Area, where newcomer Joe Faughnan (Independent) has emerged as a strong contender to take the seat vacated by former councillor Séamus Weir. 

The Knockmore man hoovered up 1,121 first-preferences, not far off veteran Fianna Fáil councillor Annie May Reape, who got 1,176 votes. 

Trailing them are Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach Michael Loftus on 1,291 votes, whose party colleague David Alexander received 994. 

Sitting Fine Gael councillor Jarlath Munnelly will face a long battle to get re-elected with 932 first preferences. 

Sinn Féin candidates Antonio Cafolla (256) and Úna Morris (474) are highly unlikely to gain a seat while Fine Gael’s Hugh Rouse is languishing on 385.