Local elections 2024 – Wicklow: Corrigan and Behan first to be re-elected

Of the total electorate of 13,461 in Bray West, the valid poll stood at 7,119, with Behan and Corrigan surpassing a quota of 1,424 with plenty of vote to spare.

A long-serving public representative, Behan retained his seat, with the Independent councillor topping the poll with 2,449 first preference votes.

His 2,449 first preference votes easily surpassed the 1,424 quota, with a total of four seats up for grabs. He also topped the vote in 2019, elected at the first count then as well.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and I hope to repay the trust placed in me over the next five years,” a beaming Cllr Behan said:

“While I am very happy at the moment, I am also very conscious that many people are struggling in many different ways and I aim to ensure that their needs are met.

“Housing still remains a huge issue, and not only for those unfortunate enough to find themselves homeless or those who have been on the social housing waiting list for some time. You also have young couples who are renting or living with their parents because they can’t afford a house in the current market.

“The provision of services and facilities for people with special needs, especially for young children, are also extremely lacking and the Government has been unsuccessful in dealing with it.

“I came away from my campaign knowing that there is a huge amount of work to be carried out and that’s where my focus will be.”

Enniskerry native Melanie Corrigan (Fine Gael), who arrived at the count centre after attending a neighbour’s wedding earlier in the day, was elected with 1,742 first preference votes.

“I’m absolutely delighted that the people of Bray West have put their trust in me again for another five years,” Cllr Corrigan said.

“I’ve worked really hard over the past five years, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity they have given me.

“I hope to do the same for the next five years. Thank you again to those who have put their confidence in me.

Wicklow County Council: Bray West LEA first count

ELECTED: Joe Behan (Ind), Melanie Corrigan (FG)

First count for Bray West LEA:

Joe Behan (Ind) 2449

Rob Carry (Ind) 468

Melanie Corrigan (FG) 1742

Colm Flood (Ind) 61

Bryan Kenna (Labour) 251

Keith Manning (Ind) 356

Dermot O’Brien (SF) 567

Alex Pigot (Green Party) 381

Mick Ryan (SF) 331

Dr Caroline Winstanley (Soc Dem) 513

19.50

With the count now underway at the Wicklow Local Election count centre, Peir Leonard and Joe Behan, two of the early favourites for election based on today’s tallies, have said that they remain cautiously optimistic.

After being elected to the Arklow District Chamber in 2019 on the back of a last minute campaign, Independent Leonard has polled strongly again, with tallies indicating that she has taken 19.7pc of the first preferences in the Arklow LEA.

“It’s still early days, too early to celebrate, but the tallies form earlier looked promising alright,” Leonard said.

“It’s been a long day, and it is going to go on even longer, so let’s see what the evening brings”

Also flying the flag for the Independents, Behan took a resounding 2,405 first preference votes (34.6pc), representing the highest percentage of preferences received by any Wicklow candidate.

“Ah, it’s still early days yet, but it was great to see the tallies earlier and I feel like I can enjoy the count a bit more after seeing them,” Behan said.

“Of course, you never know until that count comes in, but I’m optimistic, and I’ll be more relaxed about the rest of the day. Let’s see what happens.”

Meanwhile, Anthony McNulty of People Before Profit has said that he is heartened by his showing in the tally counts for the Baltinglass LEA.

With six seats up for grabs, Anthony achieved 249 votes (2.3pc) after all 41 boxes were opened. While he looks unlikely to be voted in, he has already vowed to contest the next local elections.

“It’s my first time standing and I am delighted with how I was showing in the tallies, especially as a left candidate for an area which hasn’t voted in someone left for some time,” McNulty said.

“I absolutely loved the campaign trial and meeting people on their door steps and it was a privilege to hear from them as they shared their very personal stories and matters.

“The whole campaign has shaped my appetite for more and I look forward to listening to the people over the next five years and helping people, whatever their needs may be. This election has sharpened my teeth and I will definitely be running again in five years time.”

18.30

With all tallies counted at the Wicklow Local Election count centre, Danny Alvey of the Social Democrats is polling second in Wicklow Municipal District and looks set to be elected in the first count.

In his first time running Danny achieved 1,678 votes (14.2pc) in the tally after all 55 boxes were opened, second only to Cllr John Snell with 2,030 votes.

“I ran a positive campaign focused on communities and what they need and require, rather than issues only in certain areas, such as immigration.

“Public transport, schools and more sporting facilities are what the people want to hear about, rather than immigration, which I regard as more of a distraction than anything else.”

17.20

With all ballot boxes now opened at the Wicklow Local election count centre, tallies show that the substantial lead taken by Fine Gael has now been clawed back by Fianna Fáil, while several Independents look set to secure their seat in count one.

The Arklow LEA appears to be playing out as predicted, with Pat Kennedy (Fianna Fáil) leading the way ahead of party colleague Pat Fitzgerald and Independent Peir Leonard.

Fine Gael candidates in the Baltinglass LEA will have their sights set on hitting the first count quota, with Edward Timmins, Peter Stapleton and Avril Cronin each receiving over or around 10pc of preferences. Long-serving Independent Gerry O’Neill is the outstanding candidate in the the LEA, garnering 18pc of preferences.

In Bray West, incumbents Joe Behan (Independent) and Melanie Corrigan (Fine Gael) have taken the lion’s share of the preferences in their respective electoral areas, while Aoife Flynn-Kennedy took 17pc of preferences in Bray East, which looks set to be the most hotly contested LEA in the county.

Equally, the Greystones LEA shows a broad distribution of preferences, with Stephen Stokes the only candidate that looks set to reach the quota later this afternoon.

In the Wicklow LEA another Independent, John Snell, looks set for re-election with over 17pc of preferences, while Danny Alvey (Social Democrats) and Fine Gael candidate Shane Langrell both received over 10pc of the preferences.

Although all candidates expected to to be elected in the first count are incumbents, there has been substantial support for several new candidates, including Alvey, Stapleton and Langrell, as well as Ian Neary (Independent Ireland) and Louise Fenelon Gaskin (Fine Gael)

Based on the tallies, a 50pc turnout is estimated. The tallying and sorting has now finished. Counting is due to begin.

There are 75 candidates seeking election to 32 seats on Wicklow County Council.

A first count, and hopefully the first news of election candidates, could be as late as midnight, with counters intending to keep going through the night.