Niall Boylan ‘hopeful’ he will take seat in Dublin in European elections

By Cate McCurry, PA

Independent Ireland’s Niall Boylan is “hopeful” he will take the third or fourth seat in Dublin in the European elections.

The former radio presenter appears to be in contention for a seat following strong polling in parts of Dublin.

Mr Boylan said he would prefer to take the third seat to avoid a long and “nervous” wait.

There are 23 candidates vying for four seats in the Dublin constituency.

Two candidates, sitting Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews and Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty, are expected to comfortably win a seat each.

A first count announcement will not take place until after 10pm at the RDS on Sunday because other European countries are still casting their votes.

However, it is understood that no candidate will meet the quota on the first round in Dublin.

There are around six candidates who will go head to head to claim the remaining two seats.

They include sitting MEPs Clare Daly and Ciarán Cuffe, as well as Labour TD Aodhán Ó Riordáin, People Before Profit TD Brid Smith, Sinn Féin Senator Lynn Boylan and Mr Boylan.

Mr Boylan, a former DJ who has taken a hard stance on migration issues, said that people see him as a protest candidate.

He said that while there are issues where he will not be able to effect change, including healthcare, we will want to “embarrass the Irish Government because I am a loudmouth”.

“When you say a protest candidate, I think there is part of that,” he said.

“I think people want something different. Maybe it is a protest against the Government or against the establishment in general.

“You say, ‘can I do anything?’ Of course I can. There’s a lot we could do.

“When it comes to housing, people say I don’t have competence in Europe and the EU when it comes to housing.

“There is Airbnb directives coming in. We can stop hedge funds coming in and buying lots of properties. There’s also a commission being set up for affordable housing as well.

“But [can I do anything] with healthcare? Probably not, that’s a national issue.

“But I would call the Irish Government out. Me being the type of person that I am, I’m very outspoken. I’ve been no stranger to getting in the news over the last 30 years and I’d be no stranger to doing it now.”

Meanwhile, Mr Ó Ríordáin said his party is feeling good.

“We’ve had a good day in the country,” he said.

Asked if he is confident he will take a seat, Mr Ó Ríordáin said: “I don’t know. I really don’t.

“The tallies we saw yesterday were very incomplete and they’re only partial tallies from certain boxes, but we are not surprised really because the reception we’re getting around the county was very positive.

“People were connecting with me on issues that they had told me about, from drugs, education, to football. There were various different reasons why people were wanting to chat to me about our campaign.

“We tried to be positive, it wasn’t a Government campaign.

“Obviously there’s a strong centre left which is a progressive vote in Dublin and I think those of us in the centre need to starting thinking about that and strategising around that.

“That block of votes can be utilised to potentially lead a government in the future.”