Live: Shane O'Callaghan elected in Cork city South Central; first count completed in South East and South West but quota not met
Shane O'Callaghan, Fine Gaeln is lifted by supporters in celebration as his election is announced at Cork City Hall on Saturday. Pic Larry Cummins
The first count has been completed in the South West ward, but like the South East, no candidate has been elected to that ward.
The total electorate for the ward was 36,127 and the quota was 2,006.
Colm Kelleher of Fianna Fáil secured the highest number of votes at 1,746 but this was not enough to be elected.
Aran MacDonnachadha (non-party) received the smallest number of votes at 240 and has now been eliminated.
Counting has concluded at City Hall for the evening and will resume tomorrow.
The first count has been completed in the South East ward, but no candidate has been elected.
The total electorate for the ward was 34,109 with 183 spoiled votes and the quota was 2,238.
Terry Shannon of Fianna Fáil secured the highest number of votes at 2,157, but this was not enough to be elected.
Tony Field (non-party) received the smallest number of votes at 86 and has now been eliminated.
Shane O’Callaghan, first elected to Cork City Council in 2019, said he was “absolutely thrilled” to be reelected on the first count.
He topped the polls in the South Central ward, which encompasses areas such as the city centre, Ballyphehane, Greenmount, Turner’s Cross and part of Douglas, securing 1,870 votes.
“I’m so happy that the people of Cork South Central have decided to put their faith in me again for another five years in such huge numbers,” he said speaking to reporters moments after the results of the count was announced.
He also said the result is a landmark one for the Fine Gael party.
“What is significant is, it’s the first time I think to my knowledge, it’s the first time ever that a Fine Gael candidate has topped the poll in the South Central ward and I think that is significant particularly when you look at the fact that five years ago we’d no seat - Fine Gael had no seat in the South Central ward - so to go from having no seat to topping the poll within the space of five years, I think is very significant.” Mr O’Callaghan said his priorities for the next council term include working to secure additional funding for footpath resurfacing and the provision of more social and affordable housing.
Cork South Central Fine Gael’s Shane O’Callaghan has been elected in Cork South Central with 1,870 votes, exceeding the quota of 1,528.
The total electorate for the constituency was 26,020. There were 108 spoiled votes.
Shane O'Callaghan's surplus votes will now be redistributed. Counting will recommence in the ward tomorrow morning at 10am.
Councillor Deirdre Forde told The Echo she believes election counts should be done electronically.
“Well it’s exhausting, and it makes me think that in a very short space of time we’ll be [turning] to technology for issues such as counts like this.
“When I look around at the amount of people waiting and hoping, I think we can put a man on the moon, it seems to me that we should be looking at a different way of doing it.
“As well as that, the amount of staff that are here all day, since early morning and all day tomorrow again, so I’m not against it. There's great sense of festivity about it and for the people that are going to be elected it’s a great day and for the people that aren’t, it’s not so enjoyable. I think as time moves on, are we going to have to look at a more modern way of doing the elections. “
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