GALWAY EAST – MCHUGH PICKS UP VOTES

Date Published: 27-Feb-2011

BY DECLAN TIERNEY The result of the recount in Galway East has yet to be announced but it is understood from party sources that Fine Gael’s Tom McHugh has edged four votes ahead of rival Independent Timmy Broderick. But sources in the Broderick camp suggest that if this is the case then a full recount may be demanded by the Kilconnell based publican which would result in the Galway East count going late into the night. Even though it is unlikely that Broderick would win a seat, he is anxious not to be the candidate that is eliminated and would be aiming to finish fifth in the race. Of course this would cause frustration for all of the other candidates who would have to endure the whole count process again. There were two votes between McHugh and Broderick at the end of the seventh count with McHugh set to be eliminated and this prompted the Tuam man to seek a recount. According to the tallymen watching the checking of votes for the remaining seven candidates in the race, it has emerged that McHugh has made up the ground and gone a few votes ahead.