What kind of council has Galway voted for?

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

When the results came in on Saturday it was clear that Ireland had raised high the Red flag, donned a blue shirt, kept a few Independents on side, and delivered the mother of all kickings to the Government parties. Well not quite everywhere. Typically Galway didn’t quite follow suit.

Galway City East — the figures

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

Electorate: 18,149
Total poll: 8,912

Total poll: 8,912

And you can quote me on that

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

“If Connaughton had only been named Sue or Seamus or Michael, I’d have had a chance, but to be called Paul, well that killed me in the polls.”

‘It will be a horrendous council to be on’

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

The Irish economy is in the worst shape it has been since the 1930s. The Government coffers are bare and local authorities will not be getting the kind of massive grants for important projects they enjoyed over the last eight years.

Locals sets the scene for next General Election

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

The Local Elections are over, bring on the General Election! There is never a time when politicians and political anoraks are not thinking about elections and Saturday’s results will be read as an indication of what lies ahead in 2012.

Galway City Central - results

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

Total poll: 11,487
Total poll: 5,241

Strong brand sees young Paul first over the Ballinasloe line

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

Speaking in that unique east Galway accent of his, defeated FG councillor Michael Finnerty summed up the strength of the Paul Connaughton brand when he said to me afterwards “If young Conner-ton had only been named Sue or Seamus or Michael, but anything but Paul, I might have had a chance.”

Such is the strength of the Connaughton brand in east Galway politics — and when the Connaughton brand that swept Sinead to power some years ago, had the name Paul at the front of it, the latest incumbent to the Mountbellew political dynasty was on a sure road to success.

Spirit of late mother in Fahy’s mind as he tops poll

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

Over the decades in which Michael Fahy has been the institution he is in Galway politics, one feature of the election counts in which he was centre stage was the presence of his mother May.

BALLINASLOE

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

Electorate: 22,702
Total poll: 13,828

Total poll: 13,828

Drama at finish, but governor’s call came too late to save O’Rourke

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

It was just around teatime on Sunday when an entry worthy of any dramatic play took place. Through the doors of the tennis club count centre strode Michael D Higgins, walking with purpose up towards the side of the hall, covering a metre with each step, as the crowds parted like the Red Sea to let him through.

ORANMORE ELECTORAL AREA

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

Electorate: 17,575
Turnout: 53.2 per cent

Turnout: 53.2 per cent

High Noone — victory for the man who came from nowhere

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

To opt to stand for Fianna Fail in his first election at a time of almost universal disdain for the party requires a certain amount of courage or foolhardiness. That Claregalway man Malachy Noone managed to pull it off, taking votes right across the Oranmore electoral area shows that perhaps element of both were needed.

Joy for Roche but Reilly loses out in end

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

What promised to be an interesting day for Tuam’s Tom Reilly ended in disappointment when he was pipped at the post for the last seat in the Tuam electoral area count.

TUAM ELECTORAL AREA

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

Electorate: 31,011
Turnout: 61.2 per cent

Turnout: 61.2 per cent

Carroll not going in just to make up the numbers

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

It must have been the shortest term a councillor ever served. Just a minute after returning officer Breda McDermott confirmed that he had won the last seat on Saturday night, Liam Carroll’s first elevation was cancelled as news of the recount was announced.

Loughrea area results

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

Electorate: 30,971
Total poll 18508

Total poll 18508

Doomsday, not Bloomsday for James Joyce and Class of ‘91

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

In the election count of 1991, three new bright councillors were elected onto Galway County Council. They beamed with pride as they marched into their first council meeting at the old Council chamber in the former County Buildings.

At that same count, a senior Fianna Fail councillor was devastated at losing his seat.

Past experience of loss spurs Mannion to victory

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

Missing out by just 14 votes in 2004 made Eileen Mannion something of a pessimist at the count centre at the weekend. Although the tallies showed that she was well placed to take a seat in Connemara, she wasn't counting any chickens until it was confirmed, as a direct result of her experience last time.

CONNEMARA

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

Electorate: 30,414
Total poll: 16,760

Total poll: 16,760

‘A nicer man you couldn’t meet’

Thu, Jun 04, 2009

Following the tragic death of Kieran Cunningham on Wednesday morning, a feeling of sorrow and despair has spread across the city. A native of Claregalway, Kieran had worked full time for the last 18 months at the deli counter in Hughes’ supermarket in Claregalway. The east Galway man was the eldest of three children from Slievefinn. Friends and family have all been devastated by the news of his untimely death.

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