Paddy Hill ‘very happy’ with early Fianna Fáil results

Fianna Fáil was the largest party on Westmeath County Council last term with nine seats.

Polls suggested they were in for a battle to keep seats, particularly in the Mullingar and Kinnegad electoral areas.

As things stand, all three incumbents in Mullingar look likely to be re-elected.

In Kinnegad, where Paddy Hill and John Shaw retired at the end of the last term, their hopeful replacements, Alfie Devine and Niall Gaffney, are in with a strong chance of being elected.

Mr Hill said he’s hopeful this will be the case.

“I’m very happy with how the election is going, particularly in my area where the man who is hoping to replace me, Alfie Devine, is after getting a great vote,” he said.

“Niall Gaffney is also doing very well for us in Delvin.

“I’m very happy with how Fianna Fail is doing across Westmeath too, we look like we’re going to keep our nine seats so it’s a good day for us.”

Mr Hill added that this year’s count is “much more relaxing” than when he was seeking election for what was his last term in 2019.