MC HUGH OR HIGGINS FAIL TO SECURE SEANAD SEAT

Date Published: 29-Apr-2011

The last of the Galway candidates competing for a seat in the Seanad have been unsuccessful.

Tuam county councillor Tom McHugh and solicitor Lorraine Higgins from Athenry were eliminated from the Industrial and Commercial panel late last night.

County Councillor Pat Hynes from Loughrea was eliminated from the same panel earlier on in the count.

From the first count, it was obvious it was going to be an uphill battle for the three Galway candidates who were nominated for election.

On the Industrial and commercial panel, 35 candidates were competing for one of eleven seats where the quota was 106.

Pat Hynes was eliminated at the 17th with 26 votes, Tom McHugh was eliminated at the 29th count with 36, and Lorraine Higgins at the 21st with 53 votes.

However, it’s not all bad news for Galway. Since counting began on Tuesday four Galway candidates have been elected to the Seanad.

Yesterday, Ahascragh Senator Ronan Mullen retained his seat in the Senate, having been elected through the NUI panel.

Ronan’s first cousin, Fine Gael Cllr Michael Mullins from Ballinasloe was the first Galway candidate to be elected on Tuesday through the Cultural and Education panel.

Wednesday afternoon (wed apr 27) Sinn Fein’s Trevor O’Clochartaigh from Connemara was elected through the Agricultural panel

Wednesday night (wed apr 27) Fine Gael’s Fidelma Healy Eames from Oranmore retained her senate seat through election on the Labour panel