‘Ming’ disappointed with lack of female candidates in Roscommon – News – Roscommon Herald

MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan visited the count centre in Roscommon earlier this evening, where said he is pleased with the initial tallies in the European election.

“Some of them are loose enough but my vote is up in Galway from 15% to 17%. The big, big success for me, if the tallies are correct, is Donegal. Apparently I’m averaging in around 20% there,” he said.

He said it looked like he topped the poll in Sligo and a close second in Leitrim.

“The big imponderable is the east side of the country. Kildare and Meath they make up 28% of the constituency and we have no information from there yet,” he said.

In terms of the local election, he expressed disappointment at the lack of female candidates in Roscommon.

“It looks like in the Roscommon Electoral Area that we are going to end up with six men. Sure, men are great, I’m a man myself but it would have been great to have a bit of variety,” he said. “I don’t think it is representative of what our county is about anymore.” And he called for a 50/50 split in terms of gender representation in politics.

He believes that a general election will be held after the budget.

“The current government will take money out of one of your pockets and put it in the other. You’ll go ‘hey I’ve new money in my left pocket, but you’ll want to check your right”.

19.40

Deputy Denis Naughten is here for what will be his last local election as a TD. He is not contesting the next general election. 

19.17

18.51

18.27

After the excitement of the tallies, the atmosphere at the Hyde has subdued somewhat as the business of counting gets underway.

17.44 

Counting is set to get underway shortly.

17.17

17.09

Independent councillor Emer Kelly said she was so grateful for the support she has received from the electorate of the Athlone Municipal District. According to the tallies, she received 1948 first preference votes, and looks set to top the poll.

“I am so so grateful for everyone who came out to vote and gave me this opportunity. We had a fantastic team of canvassers over the last couple of weeks,” the 24 year old independent councillor said. “They put in Trojan work, there was no house in the constituency that we didn’t knock on the door. It was an incredible response, I am so happy and honoured and humbled. I never expected this.” She said she had hoped to grab the fifth seat.

When asked, she said she hoped her performance would encourage other women to become involved in politics.

“I am due to become the first female councillor elected in the Athlone LEA. When I was co-opted, I became the first female councillor to sit in the area. I really hope that it encourages more people to get involved in politics and shows people that you don’t have to be a particular stereotype or a particular person to get involved, that anyone can get involved if you’re dedicated to the cause, willing to work with people, and willing to put in the time and effort that it takes.”

16.39

A total of 31,822 votes were cast in the three electoral areas of Roscommon.

Fianna Fáil secured 7840 votes or 25 per cent of the vote, Fine Gael won 5763 votes or 18 per cent of the vote, Sinn Féin secured 3999 votes or 13 per cent of the vote, and however, on again independents stormed through this election with 11, 131 votes or 39 per cent of the vote.

Others secured 3089 or 10 per cent.

16.07

With just one box remaining in the Athlone LEA, Cllr Emer Kelly looks set to top the poll on 1882, followed by Cllr John Naughten on 1721.

LEA : Athlone Booth : 28 of 29 boxes tallied Brooks (SF) : 503 

Connolly (FG) : 463 

Fallon (IND) : 1137 

Harney (SF) : 397 

Kelly (IND) : 1882 

Keogh (FF) : 916 

Murray (FF) : 541 

Naughten (FG) : 1721 

Naughton (IND) : 256 

Ward (IND) : 1661

15.58

The Roscommon LEA has been fully tallied, with Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice projected to top the pole on 1845. FFI looks set to retain its three seats, with Gareth Scahill looking likely to win a seat for Fine Gael.  

Brennan (FF) : 1191 

Dineen (II) : 1318 

Finnegan (IP) : 78 

Fitzmaurice (FF) : 1845 

Hester (GP) : 147 

McConn (FG) : 745 

McDermott (FF) : 1618 

Mcdonagh (SF) : 654 

Scahill (FG) : 1173 

Slamen (IFP) : 274 

Waldron (IND) : 1399 

The projected quota is 1,500

15.39

The tallying is almost done here in the Hyde.

In the Roscommon LEA,  34 of 35 have been tallied.  

Brennan (FF) : 1190 

Dineen (II) : 1294 

Finnegan (IP) : 77 

Fitzmaurice (FF) : 1694 

Hester (GP) : 137 

McConn (FG) : 744 

McDermott (FF) : 1618 

Mcdonagh (SF) : 630 

Scahill (FG) : 1089

 Slamen (IFP) : 263 

Waldron (IND) : 1343 

In the Athlone LEA, three boxes remain to be tallied.

Brooks (SF) : 466 

Connolly (FG) : 445 

Fallon (IND) : 1071 

Harney (SF) : 394 

Kelly (IND) : 1729 

Keogh (FF) : 891 

Murray (FF) : 490 

Naughten (FG) : 1560 

Naughton (IND) : 231 

Ward (IND) : 1580

14.58

Eight boxes remain to be tallied at the Dr Hyde Count Centre this afternoon.

Remaining boxes to be tallied 

Roscommon LEA

Castlerea 1 

Castlerea 4 

Castleplunkett 

 

Athlone LEA

Monskland 1 

Drum 

Moore 2 

Ballyforan 

Tisrara

14.50

With the Athlone tally coming to a close, four sitting councillors appear to be set to retain their seats, with a hair’s breadth between Cllr Emer Kelly on 1446 and Cllr Tony Ward on 1402.

Current Cathaoirleach Cllr John Keogh has rallied with recent boxes providing votes for him.

SF Sam Brooks, who is one of the youngest candidates in the country at 18 years of age, is also performing well, as is FF James Murray.

LEA : Athlone Booth : 22 of 29 boxes tallied Brooks (SF) : 436 

Connolly (FG) : 438 

Fallon (IND) : 1029 

Harney (SF) : 332 

Kelly (IND) : 1446 

Keogh (FF) : 759 

Murray (FF) : 459 

Naughten (FG) : 1082 

Naughton (IND) : 191 

Ward (IND) : 1402

14.32

Cllr Valerie Byrne appears to have topped the poll in North Roscommon according to the tallies, with 1574. This is followed by SF’s Leah Cull on 1410, Independent Micheál Frain on 1357 and FF’s Sean Moylan on 1274.

Sitting FG councillor Liam Callaghan appears to have a fight on his hands.

LEA : Boyle Booth : BOYLE FINAL TALLY 

Ali (NP) : 96 

Alsani (AON) : 139 

Beirne (SF) : 585 

Byrne (NP) : 1574 

Callaghan (FG) : 738 

Crosby (NP) : 1057 

Cull (SF) : 1410 

Daly-Finn (FG) : 889 

Forde (II) : 832 

Frain (IND) : 1357 

Hussain (NP) : 410 

Moylan (FF) : 1274 

Ó Miadh (IND) 44 

Sampey (FF) : 429 

Shanahan (IND) : 123 

Williams Doyle (SF) : 429

14.04

Only a few boxes remain to be tallied in the Roscommon LEA, and it looks likely that FF will retain its three seats, with sitting councillor Marty McDermott putting in a storming performance.

The final seat could be very interesting especially for the Fine Gael candidates.

LEA : Roscommon Booth : 28 out of 35 tallied 

Brennan (FF) : 1077 

Dineen (II) : 1045 

Finnegan (IP) : 53 

Fitzmaurice (FF) : 1042 

Hester (GP) : 111 

McConn (FG) : 693 

McDermott (FF) : 1433 

Mcdonagh (SF) : 370 

Scahill (FG) : 683 

Slamen (IFP) : 176 

Waldron (IND) : 1070

13.55

With almost all the of the North Roscommon boxes tallied, it seems that Independents and Sinn Féin are the voters’ preference.

LEA : Boyle Booth : 34 out of 40 tallied

Ali (NP) : 75 

Alsani (AON) : 124 

Beirne (SF) : 450 

Byrne (NP) : 1277 

Callaghan (FG) : 576 

Crosby (NP) : 691 

Cull (SF) : 1246 

Daly-Finn (FG) : 749 

Forde (II) : 757 

Frain (IND) : 1200 

Hussain (NP) : 342 

Moylan (FF) : 1043 

Ó Miadh (IND) : 25 

Sampey (FF) : 274 

Shanahan (IND) : 96 

Williams Doyle (SF) : 250

13.50

Approximately 85 to 90 of the 104 boxes are now open at the Dr Hyde Count Centre.

13.20

Independent Cllr Valerie Byrne and Independent candidate Micheál Frain look likely to be elected.

Sinn Féin’s Leah Cull is also performing very well.

LEA : Boyle Booth : 31 boxes tallied out of 40 Ali (NP) : 74 

Alsani (AON) : 116 

Beirne (SF) : 445 

Byrne (NP) : 1222 

Callaghan (FG) : 542 

Crosby (NP) : 586 

Cull (SF) : 991 

Daly-Finn (FG) : 617 

Forde (II) : 690 

Frain (IND) : 1193 

Hussain (NP) : 340 

Moylan (FF) : 1003 

Ó Miadh (IND) : 19 

Sampey (FF) : 257 

Shanahan (IND) : 84 

Williams Doyle (SF) : 211

12.59

Cllr Anthony Waldron’s tally has shot in the most recent estimates, and now stands at 917, par with Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice. However, Roscommon Town based Cllr Marty McDermott is leading the pack with 1043 votes. 

Booth : 22 boxes tallied out of 35 

Brennan (FF) : 710 

Dineen (II) : 870 

Finnegan (IP) : 40 

Fitzmaurice (FF) : 917 

Hester (GP) : 83 

McConn (FG) : 453 

McDermott (FF) : 1043 

Mcdonagh (SF) : 274 

Scahill (FG) : 632 

Slamen (IFP) : 138 

Waldron (IND) : 917

12.50

According to the latest tallies, Cllr Emer Kelly is leading the way in South Roscommon. Co-opted to the council in May 2021, this is her first election. 

LEA : Athlone Booth : 11 out of 29 tallied

Brooks (SF) : 275 

Connolly (FG) : 169 

Fallon (IND) : 615 

Harney (SF) : 111 

Kelly (IND) : 900 

Keogh (FF) : 387 

Murray (FF) : 321 

Naughten (FG) : 438 

Naughton (IND) : 91 

Ward (IND) : 797

12.41

Independent councillor Valerie Byrne performing very strongly in North Roscommon, and looks very likely to retain her seat.

LEA : Boyle Booth : 26 out of 40 tallied 

 Ali (NP) : 66 

Alsani (AON) : 78 

Beirne (SF) : 350

Byrne (NP) : 1119 

Callaghan (FG) : 473 

Crosby (NP) : 532 

Cull (SF) : 917 

Daly-Finn (FG) : 583 

Forde (II) : 531 

Frain (IND) : 780 

Hussain (NP) : 285 

Moylan (FF) : 910 

Ó Miadh (IND) : 19 

Sampey (FF) : 227 

Shanahan (IND) : 70 

Williams Doyle (SF) : 167

12.35

As expected, Cllrs John Keogh and John Naughten have polled strongly in Bealnamulla. However, SF and independents are also receiving support in the area. 

LEA : Athlone Booth : Bealnamulla 

Brooks (SF) : 10 

Connolly (FG) : 1 

Fallon (IND) : 10 

Harney (SF) : 48 

Kelly (IND) : 56 

Keogh (FF) : 124 

Murray (FF) : 1 

Naughten (FG) : 

90 Naughton (IND) : 

13 Ward (IND) : 47

12.32

With 67 of 104 boxes opened, Independents are leading the way in County Roscommon.

12.26

Party Vote Breakdown in the County  Roscommon Local Elections

FF 3162 22% 

FG 2046 15% 

SF 1810 13% 

IND 5500 39% 

GP 52 0% 

II 1177 8% 

IPP 24 0% 

IFP 106 1% 

A 68 0% 

Spoiled 62 0%

LEA : Roscommon Booth : 15 of 35 tallied 

Brennan (FF) : 223 

Dineen (II) : 660 

Finnegan (IP) : 21 

Fitzmaurice (FF) : 823 

Hester (GP) : 45 

McConn (FG) : 151 

McDermott (FF) : 481 

Mcdonagh (SF) : 182 

Scahill (FG) : 582 

Slamen (IFP) : 96 

Waldron (IND) : 662

LEA : Boyle  Booth : 18 of 40 tallied 

Ali (NP) : 55 

Alsani (AON) : 53 

Beirne (SF) : 288 

Byrne (NP) : 522 

Callaghan (FG) : 266 

Crosby (NP) : 458 

Cull (SF) : 737 

Daly-Finn (FG) : 446 

Forde (II) : 390 

Frain (IND) : 720 

Hussain (NP) : 275 

Moylan (FF) : 449 

Ó Miadh (IND) : 13 

Sampey (FF) : 174 

Shanahan (IND) : 41 

Williams Doyle (SF) : 103

LEA : Athlone Booth : 8 of 29 boxes tallied 

Brooks (SF) : 212 

Connolly (FG) : 97 

Fallon (IND) : 545 

Harney (SF) : 43 

Kelly (IND) : 742 

Keogh (FF) : 228 

Murray (FF) : 284 

Naughten (FG) : 166 

Naughton (IND) : 46 

Ward (IND) : 667

11.40 

An estimated 10,406 have been tallied at the County Roscommon count centre from 36 boxes.

In the Athlone LEA, 2776 votes have been tallied from seven boxes. Cllr Emer Kelly looks to have performed extremely well, with 710 votes or 26 per cent of the vote. This is followed by Cllr Tony Ward on 609 or 22 per cent of the votes.

In the Boyle LEA, 4341 votes have been counted from 16 boxes. Independent candidate Micheál Frain has 712 first preferences or 16 per cent of the votes. SF Leah Cull is also polling very well with 575 or 13 per cent of the votes.

In the Roscommon LEA, 3289 votes from13 boxes have been tallied, with FF councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice polling strongly with 687 votes or 21 per cent of the vote. This is followed by Cllr Nigel Dineen with 606 or 18 per cent of the vote.

Still very early days.

11.07

Thirteen boxes have been tallied in the Roscommon LEA, with sitting FF councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice leading the way on 687.

He is followed by Independent Ireland sitting councillor Nigel Dineen and close ally of TD Michael Fitzmaurice on 606.

In the Boyle LEA, Independent Micheál Frain is polling very strongly on 712, followed by SF candidate on 575.

10.53 

It appears to be another strong showing for independents in South Roscommon.

Six boxes are tallied in the Athlone Municipal District, with Cllr Emer Kelly leading the candidates on 635 first preference votes.

This is followed by Cllr Laurence Fallon on 529 and Cllr Tony Ward on 532. Although, there is much more counting to do.

Brooks (SF) : 47 Connolly (FG) : 93 Fallon (IND) : 529 Harney (SF) : 35 Kelly (IND) : 635 Keogh (FF) : 49 Murray (FF) : 281 Naughten (FG) : 44 Naughton (IND) : 27 Ward (IND) : 532

10.22 am

Thirty six boxes are now open

10.00 am

Independent councillor Emer Kelly is understood to be polling very strongly in her heartland area of Dysart.

Early tallies suggest that she has secured 223 first preference votes. Cllr Kelly was co-opted on to the council in May 2021following the resignation of Ivan Connaghton. She is also the only female candidate in the Athlone Municipal District.

In Cloverhill, Fianna Fáil Cllr Marty McDermott is polling strongly, estimated to have secured 148 first preferences.

While at the Castlerea St Paul’s booth, it is neck and neck with FF councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice and Fine Gael Gareth Scahill with 68 first preferences each.

In the Keadue NS booth,SF’s Leah Cull is leading the pack with 88 first preferences.

In the European elections, at the Cloverhill booth in County Roscommon both Luke Ming Flanagan and Ciaran Mullooly are polling strongly according to early tallies, with both on 53 and 76 first preferences votes respectively.