Delvin gets representation on council

Sinn Féin candidate David Jones claimed the party’s first seat on the Westmeath County Council since 2019, when he was elected on the 10th count in the Kinnegad LEA.

Jones appeared to be polling strong from the outset when tallies were being completed in Athlone on Saturday morning.

The Delvin area has been without a local councillor for almost 20 years, and there was big support for the first-time candidate. Fianna Fáil’s Niall Gaffney, who is also from the north Westmeath town, received huge support from the electorate there too. It was reported that the turnout for one of the Delvin boxes was 93%, one of the highest in the country.

‘It is brilliant. We have received fantastic support. In Westmeath, Sinn Féin have gone from having no councillors to two councillors, which is brilliant. We layed down strong foundations for the future by running seven excellent candidates and we are proud of each of their achievements,’ he said.

Looking ahead to his term as a councillor, Jones said he is excited at the prospect of representing his locality in the council chamber.

‘I want to represent every community, every constituent that contacts me and ensure that they have a fair and strong place on the council and I’ll do my best for each and every one of them.’ he concluded.