Who was elected in your area?: Mallow

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024 - 07:00

Rachel Lysaght

THE Mallow local electoral area (LEA) remains as it was, with the five incumbent councillors re-elected to Cork County Council this weekend at the Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services (CDYS) Centre.

At 10.20pm on Saturday, the first count for the Mallow LEA was announced and saw the re-election of three sitting councillors; Fine Gael’s Tony O’Shea, brother of also re-elected John Paul O’Shea, and Liam Madden, and the Labour Party’s Eoghan Kenny.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr O’Shea said: “I’m feeling wonderful, absolutely delighted.

“Five years ago, I got the last seat here, and I am thrilled to bits to be getting the first seat this year.”

“To get over two and a half thousand first preference votes is an achievement in my eyes,” he added.

“It’s a very exciting time, but nerve-wracking as well,” said Mr Kenny, 24, who is the youngest sitting councillor in the Mallow LEA.

“To receive such a mandate from the people, is a real privilege.

“I’m very thankful to the people I’ve met on the doorsteps who have put their faith and trust in me to represent them for the next five years.

“I have outlined my priorities to people, what we need badly is a Mallow relief road,” he added.

The third count announced on Sunday morning saw no candidate elected, with Independent Joe Tobin, Green Party Mary Ryder, Independent Ireland Ken Brennan and Independent Thomas Horgan eliminated.

The fourth and fifth counts also saw no candidates deemed to be elected.

Eoghan Kenny,(centre) Labour celebrates with supporters after his election in the Mallow local electoral area in Mallow Youth centre Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The sixth count was announced at 3.10pm, and saw the re-election of sitting Fianna Fáil councillor Gearoid Murphy, who was standing hand in hand with his long-term partner, Lizzy MacKenzie.

Mr Murphy said: “It’s really humbling to have the trust placed in me by the electorate for another five years. Humbling really is the primary emotion, and I am looking forward to making the council work for the people.

“It’s all about doing the basics right,” he added.

He cited a number of his key priorities for the coming council term.

“The Mallow relief road is so important and I plan to continue working for that, and for greater funding for other projects like the Cork to Limerick motorway and dereliction in Mallow town.”

“We got there,” he said. “It’s great to have the support of my friends, family and all of the people who voted for me.”

“I am delighted for him,” said Ms MacKenzie. “He’s worked very hard for it, and it’s great to see that reflected.”

The seventh count was announced at 4.10pm, wrapping up the remaining available seat with sitting Fianna Fáil councillor Pat Hayes re-elected.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” Mr Hayes said.

“It’s been a tough campaign, we’ve been out there for the last 12 weeks and we’ve had a great response.

“I’d like to commiserate with those who lost out, they deserve a great credit for putting themselves out there. It’s not easy,” he added.

“The issues we met on the doorsteps were local, with roads, public lighting, and housing, and we will work hard in the council to improve and progress those.”

RESULTS

Mallow Local Electoral Area (five seats)

First preference votes

Elected: