Kelly promises 'I will return'

One of the biggest upsets in the Cavan local elections was the defeat of experienced public representatives such as Cllrs. Francis McDermott, Michael McCarey and Fianna Fáil whip Clifford Kelly who represented Shercock, Cootehill and Kingscourt respectively. Mr. Kelly"s defeat was the shock of the election. He was an acknowledged leader in the county for many years and he will be a major loss to the party on the council. Securing 872 first preferences, his vote was down slightly (53) on the previous election - with the current national mood swing against the Government and the performance of Fine Gael candidate, David Blake, being seen as factors for his reduced vote. Notwithstanding this, Mr. Kelly was expected to be safely elected on transfers from other Fianna Fáil candidates. However, the transfers from Mr. McDermott and Mr. McCarey when they were eliminated didn"t come through in large enough numbers and he became one of casualties of this election. Speaking with The Anglo-Celt after losing his seat, Mr. Kelly said that he wished to thank all of the people of Kingscourt, Muff and Corlea for the huge vote of confidence they had in him. 'There were a number of issues in the area that people felt strongly about and maybe I suffered as a result of that. I am thinking of the pylons in Muff even though I from the start supported the early pressure group in their work. I was with them from day one. 'I am not going away. I am there and will continue to serve the people of Kingscourt in the best possible way I can. I want to say that the school will be built in Kingscourt and a number of projects I have been involved in will be continued,' he said. Mr. Kelly then stated that the only thing, which hurt him and his family, was not losing the election but the way in which a scurrilous letter was distributed by the opposition. 'It was well thought out and circulated. I believe that it did do me some damage. It is my intention that I will be putting an advertisement in the Anglo-Celt giving a €5,000 reward for the conviction of those who drafted and posted that letter,' he said. Mr. Kelly said that he wished the new councillor, David Blake, every success. He was not a bitter person and always worked for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael voters as well as those of no allegiance. 'I have no doubt that he can do a good job. I have no bitterness; I had the opportunity to serve the people of my area on Cavan County Council for 24 years and it was a complete pleasure. I am a democrat and they have decided what is what.' However, Mr. Kelly expressed disappointment that the GAA allowed their website to be used by the opposition. 'We were always associated with the GAA and I chaired the juvenile section for ten years and I didn"t expect I would get this sort of treatment from them. On the other hand I wish the Kingscourt Stars well; my family played with them,' said Mr. Kelly. He thanked the local cumann of Fianna Fáil for their unbelievable support and promised: 'I will return.'