Three to cross finish line on first count in Claremorris

Three to cross finish line on first count in Claremorris


Ciara Galvin

THREE councillors are expected to be elected on the first count in the Claremorris Municipal District, with a quota of 1,559. As the tally for the seven seater Claremorris Municipal District is revealed, the likely poll topper is Fine Gael’s Patsy O’Brien, recreating his 2009 success with a predicted 2,062 votes.
Following closely is Independent councillor Richard Finn on 1,978 – up approximately 100 votes on his 2009 outing. Proving that the re-drawing of boundaries was not an issue, Sinn Féin councillor Gerry Murray comes in third at this initial stage with 1,800.
It’s highly likely that Fianna Faíl’s John Caulfield and Fine Gael’s John Cribben will take seats, with both over the 1,400 mark at the tally stage.
Though five seats look wrapped up at this initial stage, the fight for the final three will include three sitting councillors, Fine Gael’s Tom Connolly and Michael Burke and Fianna FΡil’s Damien Ryan.
Meanwhile it looks like being a disappointing outing for Fianna FΡil newcomer JP Kean as he failed to hit the 1,000 mark, tallying 956 votes.
First time candidate Margaret Sheehan from the Green Party failed to come into contention receiving 93 votes while Independent candidate Marie Kilcullen tallied 369 votes.
It looks likely that transfers from JP Kean and Kilmaine Independent candidate Harry Walsh will decide who gets the remaining three seats.