Although we’re 9 hours into the count, it’s early days in terms of the emergence of national trends or a big picture: but the tallies have revealed some likely results – and some surprises.
Here’s 5 of those to keep you up to speed with some of what’s happening.
- Independent candidate, Paddy Holohan, look set to take TWO seats
Paddy Holohan – already a sitting councillor in Tallaght South – is a well-known former MMA fighter and commentator. He stood in two Local Election Areas this time around.
Tallies suggest he will top the poll in Tallaght South – but also looks likely to take a seat in Tallaght Central.
Final Tally in Tallaght South, Paddy Holohan looks set to top the poll. He looks likely to also take a seat in the other Tallaght LEA, Tallaght Central. pic.twitter.com/licvhnRqyP
— Declan Burke (@Burkedec) June 8, 2024
It is not an unprecedented result: Senator Sharon Keogan, for example, previously pulled off the same feat in Meath. If Holohan does take the second seat, he can nominate his candidate to co-opt for the spot, but it will be subject to a vote on South Dublin County council.
Holohan was a Sinn Féin councillor, but left the party in 2021. He has spoken out against the government’s hate speech bill, and raised concerns about the the use of St. John’s house’s in Tallaght village as an IPAS centre.
We fully support councilor Paddy Holohan with this very important announcement.
— Free Speech Ireland (@FreeSpeechIre) May 7, 2023
Cross-partisan opposition from elected representatives like Paddy is key to pushing back on the draconian Hate Speech Bill.#lettertothepresident pic.twitter.com/lfDyRzlMS5
2. Irish Freedom Party look likely to take their first Council seat
The party’s candidate in Palmerstown-Fonthill, Glen Moore, looks in with a strong chance of being elected after achieving almost 10% in the first tally of votes for the area.
Take a bow! Our first elected councillor: Glen Moore in for a seat Palmerstown-Fonthill, Dublin for Irish Freedom Party.@moorsey100 Maith thú pic.twitter.com/h7CrblXWvg
— Hermann Kelly (@hermannkelly) June 8, 2024
3. Aontú’s first time candidate scores 12% in Castleknock
Ellen Troy of Aontú, who is a first-time candidate for the party in Castleknock in Dublin, looks like a strong contender for a seat having taken 12% of first preferences.
Labour man John Walsh has shared the Castleknock tally, showing a 20% drop in first preferences for the Greens compared to 2019. Walsh himself is in a strong position to win re-election, while Aontú's Ellen Troy also in the mix #LE24 pic.twitter.com/M46JixqdAU
— Dublin People (@dublinpeople) June 8, 2024
Troy said she was standing on local issues such as Blanchardstown hospital, and ensuring respite services for people in the area, in addition to Aontú’s three pillars of Life. Economic Justice and Unity.
The party is in the mix for a number of seats nationally, and expects an increase in the number of Council seats it holds and a boost to its vote across the country. .
The Castleknock tally showed a 20% drop in first preferences for the Greens compared to 2019.
Another important public meeting, this time in Castleknock, Dublin with the excellent Ellen Troy.
— Aontú (@AontuIE) April 23, 2024
So many young people can no longer afford to live in their own communities and are forced to emigrate.
There are solutions and they start with changing your vote. pic.twitter.com/Ks9mfy3FAS
4. Séamus Walsh who left Fianna Fáil for Independent Ireland elected in Conamara
Walsh left Fianna Fáíl in March of this year, having served as a councillor with the party since 2009. He announced he would contest the June election under the Independent Ireland banner. He and fellow Councillor, Noel Thomas, were critical of plans to house asylum seekers in a former hotel in their area late last year.
“We have never been right wing, we are not right wing, we love people, we are good to people, but we are disgusted with the way the government is mishandling the immigration issue”. Seamus Walsh, Ind Ireland, Oughterard. #LocalElections2024 pic.twitter.com/tTXbbqlnJT
— Galway Bay FM (@gbayfm) June 8, 2024
He said that the people “wanted me out of Fianna Fáil”, and that the government were trying to sow confusion over the “catastrophe that was happening to the country”.
Walsh noted that his vote had increased by 500 – despite efforts to take votes away from him, he said.
5. Tipp’s youngest Councillor will top poll in Cahir, tallies suggest
According to tallies, Independent Cllr Mairín McGrath, the youngest Councillor in the LEA, will top the poll. Cahir News reports that she is on 28.9pc.
Daughter of Independent TD for Tipperary, Mattie McGrath, Máirín (26) is the youngest sitting Tipperary County Councillor. She told the Independent that “her hard work has paid off and her message has resonated particularly with younger voters in their 20s frustrated at the housing situation”.
“We don’t know yet, it’s still pretty close,” said Cllr McGrath. “The last box has to be tallied, but I’m delighted with my vote. It is reflected by my campaign. I knocked on every door in the LEA over the last eight weeks, and it was an ambition that I had to meet as many people as I could on the canvass”.
