Cork South West returns sitting TDs, including two party leaders

Cork South West is a unique constituency out of all the State’s 43 constituencies in that, as well as its outstanding natural beauty, it has two party leaders.

The final make-up of the seats in Cork South West was obvious from the early tallies and each succeeding count into the early hours of yesterday morning made it ever more unshakeable — the outgoing three TDs would be returned in the constituency.

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins was thrilled that he had gone from an ‘Independent’ to the leader of a party and his poll-topping first-preference vote of 11,002 was, he considered, a resounding endorsement of this decision.

Speaking to The Echo shortly before the announcement of the eighth count, when he would be elected at about 2am yesterday, Mr Collins said: “I’m going to dedicate this to every man, woman, and child out there that put their hearts and souls in me to win a seat in West Cork, changing the code from Independent to Independent Ireland.

“Taking that extra chance, I headed the poll last time and I’m heading it this time. I’d say my position is vindicated in starting up Independent Ireland.”

It would take a little longer for the Social Democrats leader to be elected, though nothing compared to the marathon that took place at the last general election. Holly Cairns wasn’t present at the count centre as she gave birth to a daughter on polling day but she was well represented there by Social Democrats supporters.

Speaking to The Echo, Ann Bambury was confident early on in proceedings that the leader would get over the line — and so she did at 3.30am in the 10th count.

Christopher O’Sullivan, of Fianna Fáil, was delighted to be the first TD from his party to retain a seat in the constituency since the mid 1970s and paid tribute to his team.

He said: “I’m blown away with the first-preference vote — over 9,000 votes. It’s testament to the incredible team I have, the canvassers, the people putting up posters, the support in general, the team in my office.”

The Fine Gael camp were disappointed to miss out on regaining a seat they had until 2019 and will perhaps rue the decision to run two candidates — senator Tim Lombard and Noel O’Donovan, who was elected to Cork County Council this summer.

Mr O’Donovan had 6,122 first preferences while Mr Lombard was on 5,003.

They probably had a quota between them but that wouldn’t do on this occasion.