Election Briefs

Independents top Clones poll The two Independent councillors on Clones Town Council, Peter McAleer and Ross Mealiff came in well ahead of the field in the elections to the Town Council. Mr. McAleer, for many years a Sinn Féin councillor but in more recent times an Independent, topped the poll with a remarkable 247 votes followed by Mr. Mealiff on 206. With the quota being 122 both men were elected on the first count - their surpluses being distributed amongst the other candidates. Long serving Fine Gael councillor, Peter Mulligan, with a commendable 134 votes was also elected on the first count. Fine Gael regained a seat on Clones Town Council when local businesswoman and community activist, Yvonne Newell, was elected. Fianna Fáil lost a seat on the council when P.J. McCague failed to get re-elected. The new council is as follows: Peter McAleer (Independent), Ross Mealiff (Independent), Peter Mulligan (Fine Gael), Yvonne Newell (Fine Gael) Pat Treanor (Sinn Fein), Deirdre Kelly (Fianna Fail), Niall Quigley (Sinn Fein), Aidan Sheerin (Sinn Fein) and Anna Rooney (Fianna Fáil). Fergal"s remarkable achievement On his election to Cavan County Council at his first attempt Fergal Curtin was one of those who left the count centre in happy mood in the early hours of Sunday morning. Fergal"s achievement was even more remarkable in that he was only added to the ticket just six weeks before the election. 'I got a great team together and we did a thorough canvass. It all came together for us and I am looking forward to it. My priorities are roads and broadband. Broadband facilities are deplorable,' he said. John is an effective worker Fine Gael"s John O"Hare is one of the substantial group of new councillors elected to Cavan County Council in Friday"s Local Elections. Although John was elected to the council at his first attempt, securing 882 first preferences, he is no stranger to political life and was Fine Gael constituency organiser from 2004 to 2008. When he decided to seek election to the county council, he made up his mind to give it his best shot and admits that he fought a resolute but fair campaign. He compliments all candidates who put their names before the people and seek election. It was democracy in action and was to be applauded, he said. 'My ambition is to work hard on the ground, nice and quietly and effectively for the people of the Bailieboro Electoral Area,' says John. Blake victorious on first outing David Blake from Kingscourt is one of those new young public representatives who were returned to Cavan County Council in Friday"s local elections. David secured 952 first preferences and was next in line to Niamh Smyth at the head of the field in the Bailieborough Electoral Area. He says that he canvassed for 13 weeks and as he knocked on the doors he was told that the people wanted change. 'I am a new candidate to the field and I look forward to representing the people of Kingscourt and surrounding areas,' he says. David confessed that it was a strange experience. He had never been inside a count centre before and he was very humbled to think that so many people would come out and vote for him as a new candidate. He thanked his great team of election workers and was delighted for the Fine Gael people in Kingscourt who kept the party going through thick and thin.