Brady of Sinn Féin prevails in Belturbet
by Sean McMahon Updated: Wednesday, 17th June, 2009 12:00pm
Six days of counting in an emotion-charged atmosphere in the Sports Complex at Drumalee with just one vote between the victor and the vanquished at the start and finish, will long live in the memory of all those who were present to witness a myriad gambit of human emotions unfolding before their eyes.
Damien Brady of Sinn Féin emerged the winner by 1,004 votes to 1,003 against Seamus McGahern (FF). The end result put Fianna Fáil"s tally of lost seats on Cavan County Council at three - the third seat being that previously held by Anthony Vesey (now independent) for the party in the Belturbet electoral area at the last local election.
At the finale and a further four days of counting and legal wranglings, the second recount did not alter the original result in the Belturbet electoral area. Brady had gone three votes ahead of McGahern after the first recount called by the returning officer Ger Finn, but in the final marathon second recount, called by Fianna Fáil, the margin reverted to one vote, with Brady still ahead.
An emotional Damien Brady told The Anglo-Celt that it was brilliant to win the seat on Cavan County Council for Sinn Féin. He said it had been a long long wait and 'Thankfully the result went my way at the end of it all. The result was there on last Saturday night, and again on Monday night and finally Fianna Fáil has conceded on this Thursday evening and I"m the winner by one vote.'
Damien revealed that it is 49 years since Sinn Féin held a seat in West Cavan and 'I"m very proud to be the man who has regained the seat and I have no doubt that I will hold onto it. I will work hard for all the people of the Belturbet Electoral area.'
Damien said he commiserated with Seamus McGahern and it was very tough for him to lose by one vote. 'That"s the way it goes and I have no doubt that Seamus will be back again.'
He was always confident that he would hold on for victory. Damien thanked Ger Finn and all his staff for the professional manner in which they handled the count and the recounts.
A naturally disappointed Seamus McGahern wished Damien Brady and his family the best of luck. It had been a tough few days. Due to the closeness of the result, the returning officer had called the first recount and 'we called the second one and the result stands'.
He said he would consider running for election again and he was not in favour of E-voting, even after all the trauma he had been through with the recounts. 'I had a brilliant campaign team behind me, including my friends and family and I want to thank them very much.' His parting message to the voters is that he will be back.
Returning Officer Ger Finn said it was a marathon count 'and I really felt sorry for the candidates, who had to wait for the result. I apologise for the delay, but we wanted to make sure that everything was right. We meticulously went through every ballot paper and as far as humanly possible, ensured that we reflected the results on the ballot papers.'
He revealed that they also had availed of the services of Padraig Hughes, a former Mayo County Secretary and an expert in the PR system. 'It was great that he was available to join us together with Michael Geraghty and I wish to compliment all the Council staff for their dedicated work on the count.'
He also wished to thank all the staff at the Sports Complex 'who catered for us so well over this marathon week'.
Ger said it was amazing that out of 7,195 valid votes, that the matter was decided by just one vote. He pointed out that it shows how important it is to go out and vote and go down the ballot paper with preferences.
'It is great to get out of this bunker on the hill at last,' quipped Mr. Finn as he strode into the fresh air after being cooped up for days in the count centre at Drumalee.
Deputy Caoimhghin O"Caolain said that Damien Brady is joining a team of experience and commitment 'in the service of the people of the Breffni County'.
He remarked: 'This is a historic day for Sinn Féin in Co. Cavan after a wait of 50 years.' Damien Brady had put in an excellent campaign and he commiserated with Seamus McGahern on a personal level.
'The election of Damien Brady, truly brings Cavan"s fourth green field back together again in terms of Sinn Féin representation on Cavan County Council, and we are very proud of that achievement.'
Post a Comment