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Danny Healy Rae with supporters Ellen Lynch, Eleanor Hickey and James Higgins earlier today. Photo by Dermot Crean
WELL it took some time, but Michael Healy Rae was eventually elected with the biggest first preference vote in the country on 20,378 votes on the first count on Saturday night in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre in an historic night for Kerry politics.
It was initially expected that the first count would come in at around 7.30pm but at about 9.50pm it was announced that a full recheck of first preference was to take place so the count was delayed until 11.20pm.
Eileen Healy Rae (wife of Michael), Rosemary Healy Rae, Dan Kiely, Nuala Costello and Jackie Healy Rae (son of Michael) at the count centre on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
When returning officer Padraig Burke eventually announced the result of the first count, Micheal Healy Rae was elected with an incredible total of 20,378 with a huge surplus which should see his brother Danny on 9,991 elected on the second count in the morning.
Sinn Fein’s Martin Ferris is expected to be elected tomorrow after getting 9,458 and Brendan Griffin, as it stands, is in a good position to retain his seat with 9,674. However, his party colleague, Junior Minister Jimmy Deenihan on 6,489 will face an uphill battle against Fianna Fail’s John Brassil who has 8,156.
Arthur Spring is sure now to lose his seat having just managed 4,813 while Norma Moriarty managed a good vote of 4,348.
The counting has ended for the night and will resume at 9am tomorrow morning.
The full first count result is;
Total Electorate: 112,751
Valid Poll: 79,273
Total Poll: 79,749
Quota: 13,213 – Invalid votes; 476
John Brassil (FF) – 8,156
Donal Corcoran (Renua) – 716
Jimmy Deenihan (FG) – 6,489
Martin Ferris (SF) – 9,458
Brian Finucane (AAA/PBP) – 981
Michael Fitzgerald (Green) – 1,011
Mary Fitzgibbon (Ind) – 635
Henry Gaynor (Ind) – 147
Brendan Griffin (FG) – 9,674
Danny Healy Rae (Ind) – 9,991
Michael Healy Rae (Ind) – 20,378
Norma Moriarty (FF) – 4,348
Kevin Murphy (Ind) – 464
Grace O’Donnell (FG) – 776
Michael O’Gorman (Ind) – 1,236
Arthur Spring (Lab) – 4,813
Eileen Healy Rae, Des Cahill of RTE, Rosemary Healy Rae, Dan Kiely, Joe Stack of RTE, Nuala Costello, Paul Sheehy, Jackie Healy Rae and Michael O’Rourke at the count centre. Photo by Dermot Crean
Micheal & Danny,
Congratulations on your outstanding win being elected first preference vote in the Country on 20,378 votes.
In the past years listening to Kerry Radio on interviews with you & viewing you on Television. You are genuine honest you speak out for the people in helping them in all difficult situations. I have met many people who you were the only ones who spoke for them & gave them such relief. When the leaders in government ignored them.
Hoping they have learned their greedy lessons.
We trust you both & you will do good for the suffering people.
That the so called leaders who did not keep their promises five years ago.
Put astronomical extra charges on retirement people & gave us no rise in five years .
Only last budget their miserable e 3 thinking we would be grateful. It was an insult.
It is the banks & those responsible for the collapse should pay so much back for the up & running to get the recovery going.
We could could say a lot more. But you know what we are trying to say.
Glad to get this opportunity to convey to you both the misery the last leaders caused as we know you will listen to the people.
We gave you 1 & 2 votes. To be honest even though Danny is our representative.
I gave Micheal number 1 the reason as I have stated above. I listened to him on radio & on TV. But your adorable brother Micheal gave you the surplus votes.
Good luck to you both. You both deserve a good earned rest.Joe & Teresa P. Leahy, Farranfore.