The absence of Fianna Fáíl politicians at the Galway West count centre in Salthill was unsurprising last Saturday, but one party member made it his business to attend.
Michael Gilligan, aged 88, has been a Fianna Fáil member in the neighbouring Galway East constituency since he was 16 years old, and has served in executive positions for his party.
“I have been loyal to Fianna Fáil all my life, but if there was an election tomorrow, I would struggle to vote Fianna Fáil,” he said.
Mr Gilligan travelled 40km from his home in Abbeyknockmoy to see the results of the presidential election for himself. “I am here to wish Catherine Connolly well,” he said. “I am a personal friend of Micheál Martin, but he should have balloted the [party] members.”
Mr Gilligan said his party’s choice of Jim Gavin for the presidential election was a poor one, and the Dublin GAA manager would have been an unlikely pick if ordinary party members were asked.
“I would expect to have seen Bertie Ahern, Éamon Ó Cuív and Bille Kelleher as choices, and I would have voted Kelleher, as he’s an absolute gentleman,” said Mr Gilligan.
The Fianna Fáil old hand said his party should learn lessons from Connolly’s national campaign, and her personal approach to the election.
