Elections were truly Independents’ Day

THE biggest party to win across the election districts in Galway this weekend was the non-party.
The results witnessed the rise of the independent councillors and even those who didn’t make it, saw their widespread support rattle the strategies of political parties.
Independent councillors took four of the nine seats in the Tuam district while there are two very strong independents in Jim Cuddy and James Charity in the Athenry-Oranmore area. The Ballinasloe count was clearly dominated by the extraordinary vote given to New Inn’s Tim Broderick, who nearly secured two quotas.
Newly elected independent Joe Folan, who campaigned on the fire service issue, has made a huge impact in the Connemara district where he joins sitting independent Tom Welby. In Loughrea, sitting councillor Pat Hynes retained his seat in Loughrea as did Michael Stroke Fahy, who is thought to be returning to Fianna Fail, but still made his return to County Hall wearing an independent hat.

Read more in this week's edition.