Sinn Féin councillors claimed an emphatic triumph in South Dublin with all nine representatives elected in what’s been described as an historic weekend for the party in the capital.
Particularly impressive performances from Cathal King in Tallaght South, Maire Devine in Tallaght Central and Eoin Ó Broin in Clondalkin saw the party surge ahead in the polls in what Sinn Féin TD Sean Crowe proclaimed was their most momentous set of results since the 1920s.
That was in stark contrast to a Labour party which had ‘a bonfire lit under them’, according to one local councillor. With just four seats to their name, the party registered a paltry 10 per cent of first preference results in what was a complete reversal from their commanding 2009 performance.
While absorbing less of the hit, Fine Gael will be less than ecstatic with their seven seat return, down one from the outgoing council.
They only met one first round quota with William Lavelle in Lucan, having fallen 9 per cent from their last local election figures in the area, and were left with a nervous wait before eventually seeing celebrity candidate Kenny Egan elected in Clondalkin along with running mate Emer Higgins.
Speaking after his election Mr Egan said the count was “nerve-wracking. It was like Olympic final time again, but I’m just happy to come out on top.”
Despite their fates being far from assured earlier in the morning, Fine Gael managed to pull through with Mr Egan and running mate Ms Higgins claimed the last two seats to bring the party’s council representation up to six.
Mr Egan said afterwards that he would dedicate his candidacy to the youth of the area, as well as raising mental health awareness: “I think I’ll make a difference to the youth, that’s what I’ve always targeted straight from the start, and that’s something I’m going to concentrate solely on. It’s a new challenge, I took the risk, I’ve taken it with both hands and here I am now as a councillor for South Dublin, which I’m delighted with.”
When asked how he intended to celebrate his victory, the decorated boxer produced a most un-Olympian response: “I think I’ll have a nice cup of tea and a bar of chocolate!”
Fianna Fáil was left to rue a missed opportunity as they made only the most marginal of gains on 2009 with five councillors elected, one short of their modest pre-election expectations.
Independents also benefited from the ire being aimed at establishment parties in areas such as Templeogue-Terenure, Rathfarnham and Lucan. Most notable results were the re-election of former mayor Dermot Looney who topped the poll in Templeogue, while ex-Green Party TD Paul Gogarty passed the quota at the 11th time of asking in Lucan and was elected alongside fellow independents Gus O'Connell and Liona O'Toole.
People Before Profit will be happy with their unexpectedly strong showing in more or less virgin territory for the party.
Strong performances from Ruth Nolan in Lucan and Nicky Coules in Tallaght South saw them add to the incumbent Gino Kelly’s re-election, and the Anti Austerity Alliance will be buoyed by their three seats in Tallaght South and Central.
