Dollard: 'elated and humbled'

“Elated and humbled” were the words Cllr Mick Dollard used to describe his feelings after coming in over quota to get elected on the first count in Mullingar. The quota was 1,324, and Cllr Dollard polled 1,696.

To be fair, he couldn’t have been expected to use the word “surprised” as he is accustomed to topping the poll.

Since first running in 1985 – for both the county council and the town commission – he reckons he has topped the poll “12 or 13 times”.

Reacting to his name being called, he said he was anxious to thank the people who came out and voted for him – but also those who did not vote for him, but who took the time to go out and vote and take part in the democratic process.

Cllr Dollard is passionate in his objection to social media, and doesn’t engage in it himself – which, he believes, may be part of the key to his success.

“I use text messages and voice messages and emails,” he says – but after that, he prefers to meet with people, and hear directly whatever they have to say.

He also doesn’t hold with massive postering campaigns: he has eight posters, and he has used them in previous elections.

“I don’t think they are necessary,” he said, going on to say he believes that for future elections, they should be restricted to a designated area in each town and village.”