Fine Gael's John Perry

SLIGO-LEITRIM: Perry loses seat after 19 years as deputy

Damian McCarney

John Perry says he has yet to consider his future after losing the seat in Sligo-Leitrim he held for 19 years. 

Speaking this afternoon, the former Fine Gael minister for small business had resigned himself to the inevitable after a modest first preference vote of 4,566.

As I write this (2.51pm Sunday) Perry is from Ballymote, the same small town in South Sligo as Fianna Fáil's Eamon Scanlon, and commentators are eager to see whether his vote shows geographical loyalty or remains within the same party which he took to the High Court to ensure his name was on the ballot paper.

Speaking to the Celt's Sean McMahon, he acknowledged his campaign team, supporters and voters.

“It has been a very extraordinary opportunity to serve as a Dáil deputy for 19 years. I’ve enjoyed every day of it,” he said. 

Asked about his emotional state after all the effort he went to in order to run for the party, he replied:

“I’m one of those guys, I’m a very positive minded person. I’m very fortunate to have a very good wife, a very fine son, I’ve my health and in good form thank God and I think that’s what life is all about?”

Asked about his future on the political scene, he replied:

“That is an issue I haven’t given consideration to at the moment.”