Candidate with Dysart connections elected in Wexford-Wicklow

A TD elected in this weekend's general election and who has Westmeath connections is Brian Brennan, who was returned for Fine Gael in the Wexford-Wicklow constituency.

Brian, who was on his first run in a Dáil election, actually topped the poll, bringing pride to those in the Dysart area, who recall that he was born in their parish.

Among those who remember the family is Liz Gavigan, who tells us that Brian was born in what was Manny's pub and grocery, now being renovated by the Murphy family.

The Brennans moved from Dysart to Gorey in 1970, and Brian is now a highly successful businessman. He succeeded his father as boss of The 64 pub and restaurant in Gorey. He later went on to operate the Arklow Bay Hotel and the Brennan Hotel Group.

Brian is founder of the Ireland-Sri Lanka Orphanage Fund, and ran with a view to helping local businesses and improving the care of older people and the lives of those with disabilities.

Elsewhere, Kilbeggan native and former Fine Gael TD Kate O'Connell (née Newman) was eliminated in the race for a seat in Dublin Bay South last night. The Dublin-based pharmacist, a daughter of former FG Westmeath county councillor Michael Newman, ran as an independent.

In the same constituency, FG's James Geoghegan - a grandson of former Longford-Westmeath TD and Minister for Justice, the Walshestown-born James Geoghegan (d. 1951) - topped the poll and was elected to the Dáil. The new TD is the current Lord Mayor of Dublin.

Meanwhile, there was no joy for Sinn Féin's Senator Paul Gavan, who was eliminated on the sixth count in the Limerick City race. Gavan, a trade union official in Limerick, has roots in Fore and spent his teenage years in the north Westmeath parish.