“The Battle of Newbridge is over. 5 counts, 5 different results. 2 votes separated the 2 candidates in the end,” Aontú added.
Similarly, a supporter has this message for Stokes on X: “you are a thorough gentleman, James. You conducted yourself with class and dignity throughout the whole nerve-wracking count(s)!, and showed a maturity far beyond your 18 years. A credit to yourself, your family and the whole community. Maith thú.”
Both candidates will likely be back to the fray, but, although the recount was decided, the battle royale wasn’t over yet.
The endless recounts only decided who was to be eliminated: the victor – at that stage Stokes – was then in contention with Independent Tom McDonnell for the final seat based on Melissa Byrne’s transfers.
McDonnell, well known in Newbridge for his role in opposing migrant centres in the area, and for his work on housing and homeless issues, then won the seat after receiving the lion’s share of the transfers.
He said during the election that “uncontrolled immigration” was one of his priorities, and that the “topic is causing huge divide in our town & country”.
“The media have made this issue hard to discuss for fear of being labelled racist or far-right,” he said, pointing to the loss of the only public swimming pool and gym in the area when the Gables [a local hotel] was sold to house asylum seekers.
McDonnell also said that he and fellow independent candidate, Chris McCormack, had set up a weekly foodbank for the homeless providing food, necessities & shelter every Saturday outside the town hall.
A delighted McDonnell waved the national flag after his election was announced, and took no prisoners the following morning on Kfm when he was asked if he was concerned that this would be interpreted as ‘far right’.
“I’m so so so proud to be Irish,” he said. “And I’ll die with the Tricolour and I’ll have it over my coffin. I’m an Irish man: how would you be ashamed of having an Irish flag. This is media spin again.”
“Fair play to everyone who has an Irish flag,” he added. “Be proud of your country”.
During the election, McDonnell revealed that three of his five children had emigrated, and he said that they felt they would never be able to afford a house in their own country. He said Ireland was losing the “best and the brightest” now due to emigration because of the housing and cost of living crisis.
It’s the sort of plain speaking that likely resonated with many voters, especially with families where young adults are becoming increasingly desperate about the lack of housing and their inability to find somewhere to live.
McDonnell was also criticised for using the word ‘breed’ in relation to Ireland’s rapidly shrinking fertility rate and the demographic crisis that most politicians and policy makers are busy ignoring, despite the obvious negative implications for pensions, healthcare, the economy and much else.
He told Kildare Today that he is from a farming background and that’s the language he uses, but explained on Newstalk that it was his opinion that “women are so undervalued by the current government.”
Cllr McDonnell said women told him during the election campaign they would have more children if they could afford it.
“I speak to them, I was on the doors, and they said to me, ‘We can’t afford to have children’,” he said.
“I said, ‘If you got a tax break would you have another child?’ and they said, ‘Of course we would'”
Cllr McDonnell said women are the foundation of the State and should be treated better.
“Women are so undervalued in this country by our Government it’s unbelievable,” he said. “Only for the women of Ireland there’d be no Irish people here.”
He also said that he intends to run as a TD. “The election last night is only a stepping stone to the Dáil,” he said. Speculation is currently rife in regard to when the government will call the general election, with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil likely eager to capitalise on the collapse in support for Sinn Féin.
