Davitt and D'Arcy elected on first count in Mullingar East/Coole
Sinn Féin's huge local election gains in Westmeath continued today when Fore-based candidate Una D'Arcy was elected on the first count, along with Fianna Fail's Cllr Aidan Davitt.
Davitt topped the poll with 1,492 votes, exceeding the quota by 46, while D'Arcy squeezed over the line first time with 1,487.
Counting continues as the Fianna Fáil duo of John Shaw and Paddy Hill are in line to retain their seats, with 1,275 and 1,207 first preferences respectively.
Next in line on the first count were Fine Gael pair and sitting councillors Frank McDermott (1,163) and Peter Burke (1,008).
Seasoned poll-topper Mick Dollard (Labour) saw his vote halved when comp-ared to 2009 figures, but looks set to get through with 950 first preference votes - although colleague Denis Leonard of Kinnegad (722) could spoil his already subdued party, depending on transfers.
The result in Mullingar East/Coole is yet another indication as to the extent of Labour's implosion at the polls in Westmeath, and continues a memorable day at the office for Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein.
Tyrone native D'Arcy, a former Westmeath Examiner journalist, is Sinn Fein's first elected representative in north Westmeath since the days of Laurence Ginnell.
Mullingar auctioneer and well-known GAA official Davitt was first elected to Westmeath County Council in 2009.
Tallies indicate that both poll-toppers drew a consistent vote from all boxes across Mullingar East/Coole.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Cllr Aidan Davitt said he felt humbled by the support of the people from north Westmeath.
"I'd like to thank the 1492 people who gave me their number 1, and I'd like to thank the Fianna Fail stategists for their super vote management. It looks like we'll get three seats in Mullingar Coole and that we'll get nine Fianna Fail councillors elected across the Council".
Meanwhile, Una D'Arcy for Sinn Fein was also feeling humbled:
"I’m feeling really humbled. It’s a testament to the hard work of the canvassing team who’ve been out for six months and the work of Dep Peadar Tobin and it really shows the swell of support for Sinn Fein throughout the country."
Full results, quota 1,446. Burke (FG) 1,008, D'Arcy (SF) 1,487, Davitt (FF) 1,492, Dollard (Lab) 950, Fagan (Ind) 678, Grimes (Lab) 170, Hill (FF) 1,207, Holmes (Ind) 83, Horan (Ind) 43, Keaney (Lab) 520, Leonard (Lab) 722, Maher (Ind) 142, McDermott (FG) 1,163, Shaw (FF) 1,275, Wallace (FG) 627.