(JJ Hurley)
After three weeks of pounding the highways of West Cork the direction of the constituency’s three seats were decided early on Sunday morning.
It was no surprise that the leader of Independent Ireland, Michael Collins, was first across the line, after Sinn Fein candidate, Clare O’Callaghan, was eliminated on count eight
Cllr Danny Collins, Michael Collins TD and Cllr John Collins celebrating after the leader of Independent Ireland was first past the post in Cork South West
Now heading to the Dail for his third term, Collins was full of praise for his army of supporters that ensured his electoral success.
‘Ah, they are brilliant, they are like an army in themselves and the people are very supportive,’ he said
‘To win an election you need a huge team, and we have a huge team, and that’s what keeps us going.’
Reflecting on the national result, Collins said, ‘It looks like to me that two of the parties that were previously in government are going back in, joined possibly by two of the smaller parties.’
‘If there is a situation that Independent Ireland is going to be involved there is going to be a lot of talks, in relation to small businesses, agriculture, fishing, housing and the cost of living.
‘We want to see solutions, we don’t want to be part of the problem,’
‘The country has money, but how it is being spent it needs to be questioned.’
With Collins departing the scene, the count focused in on the two remaining seats, as Cairns and O’Sullivan looked likely to pick up the two other seats on offer, but O’Donovan was still hanging on in the contest.
Having waited all evening, the Soc Dems moment finally arrived as Holly Cairns finally crossed the line, much to the jubilation of her election team.
For Cllr Ann Bambury it was a special night for the party.
‘It is overwhelming, it's fantastic, and it’s unprecedented with Holly trying to hold her seat and pregnant at the same time and having a baby the day of the election,’ she said.
‘We are absolutely thrilled, this has been a massive team effort, the campaign was wonderful and we had great vibes from the community and people were really receiving the message at the doors,’
Looking to the future, Ann said, ‘We are a party now that can challenge in government and we want to take that message to Dublin and represent the people of West Cork.’
Soc Dems celebrating Holly Cairns' return as a TD
The final seat proved to be something of a marathon and it was almost 5am before Christopher O’ Sullivan crossed the line to take the third seat, after Senator Tim Lombard was eliminated.
For the record, O’Sullivan has put pay to a curse that has seen every newly elected Fianna Fail TD lose their seat at the next election.
Christopher O'Sullivan his late night return to the Dail in Mallow on Sunday morning
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