Four seats filled in Galway East

Three councillors heading to the Dáil

FINE Gael’s Pete Roche and Sinn Féin’s Louis O’Hara have taken the final two seats in Galway East.

The 11th count, the distribution of Clodagh Higgins’ votes (FG) saw Abbeyknockmoy’s Pete Roche soar over the quota (10,843), picking up a whopping 4,023 votes, giving him a total of 11,557.

It was an emotional win for the Galway County Councillor who was very close to taking a seat in 2020.

Sinn Féin’s Louis O’Hara, who was just elected to Galway County Council in June, also came very close to taking a seat in 2020.

Both candidates were surrounded by a large crowd of family members and supporters as the results were announced by Returning Officer Derry Buckley.

The last count was a three-candidate race for the last two seats. Independent Ireland Cllr Declan Geraghty from Williamstown failed to pick up any significant transfers in the final count. He said he was, however, extremely happy with his campaign and performance.

The four TDs now elected to Galway East are IND Sean Canney, FF Albert Dolan, FG Pete Roche and SF Louis O’Hara.

ELEVENTH COUNT

Distribution of Clodagh Higgins’ votes

Albert Dolan (FF) ELECTED (8th count)

Seán Canney (IND) ELECTED (6th count)

Louis O’Hara (SF) (+576) 10,078

Peter Roche (FG) (+4,023) 11,557

Declan Geraghty (IND IRL) (+458) 7,581

Roche and O’Hara elected