Following the first count of the Baltinglass, Wicklow and Arklow LEAs at the Wicklow Local Election count centre, Gerry O’Neill, Peir Leonard, Pat Kennedy, John Snell and Stephen Stokes have been re-elected.
Of the total electorate of 20,661 in Baltinglass, the valid poll stood at 11,154, with Independent O’Neill surpassing the quota of 1,594 with 2,013 first preference votes.
First elected to Wicklow County Council as a Sinn Féin representative in 2014 before running successfully as an Independent in 2019, O’Neill is a founding member of the Blessington and District Forum, Chairman of the Crooksling Hospital Action Group and a coach of Blessington Boxing Club.
He was also elected on the first count five years ago and loud cheers and rapturous applause broke out in the count centre at the Shoreline Greystones just after 1am Sunday morning when the first count results were announced.
“I’m delighted for the people of west Wicklow and am honoured that they have placed their trust in me for another five years,” O’Neill said
"I always try to represent the people and I am thrilled that I will continue to represent their needs. It was a long and tough campaign and now I just want to get on with working for and on behalf the people.
"I have enjoyed my years as a councillor and always do my best, and will continue to do so for the people of west Wicklow.”
Of the total electorate of 19,259 in Arklow, the valid poll stood at 10,268, with Councillors Kennedy and Leonard surpassing the quota of 1,467, receiving 2,791 and 2,025 preference votes respectively.
Elected to Wicklow County Council in 2014 and 2019, Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Kennedy has replicated his 2019 result by topping the Arklow polls once again with 2,759 first preference votes.
“Firstly I have to thank the team behind me for all their efforts," Kennedy said.
"It was a long campaign and they put in a huge amount of work. More importantly I have to thank everyone who voted for me and placed their trust in me for another five years.
"The one commitment I gave on the doorsteps was that I will put the work in, as I have done ever since I was first elected.
“Now I’m keen to get to work on the issues people were raising as I knocked on doors, such as the state of rural roads, the cost of living and the rise in fuel prices.”
Councillor Peir Leonard will fly the flag for the Independents in the Arklow MD Chamber after receiving votes , replicating her success of 2019, which saw her run a campaign on a shoestring budget, just weeks before the election.
“I am incredibly grateful for the trust the people of Arklow have placed in me - this is a testament to our community’s shared vision for a brighter, more sustainable future,” Cllr Leonard said.
“As an independent councillor, I am committed to working tirelessly for the best interests of all residents, ensuring that Arklow and its surrounding areas continue to grow, thrive, and remain a wonderful place to live.”
Of the total electorate of 21,035 in the Greystones LEA, the valid poll stood at 11,380, with Councillor Stephen Stokes surpassing the quota of 1,626 with 2,059.
In the Wicklow LEA, the total electorate was 23,378, with a valid poll of 12,300. John Snell surpassed the quota (1,758) by some distance, receiving 2,118 first preference votes.
“It’s a great endorsem*nt from the people of east Wicklow and it gives you more energy to keep going," Snell said.
“It covers a huge geographical area with lots of towns and villages, and I am honoured that they all rowed-in behind me. Now the real work starts again on Monday morning. Times are hard and we need to make Wicklow Municipal District as best it can be so everyone benefits. A lot of the issues you see online weren’t brought up at the doorsteps while out canvassing.
“I only had a small team behind me and used only 74 recycled posters from my last election campaign, so to have done so well as an Independent candidate is incredibly humbling. I have to thank my family and friends. It a team effort, and it’s not just my success, it’s my teams as well, but It’s only a success if you make real change for people and that’s what I will be working to achieve.”
Wicklow County Council: Baltinglass LEA first count
ELECTED: Gerry O’Neill (Ind)
First count for Baltinglass LEA:
Kieran Burke (FF) 655
Connor Byrne (SF) 288
Avril Cronin (FG) 1122
Patsy Glennon (FF) 719
Aidan Kinsella (SF) 620
Deirdre McCormack (Soc Dem) 781
Anthony McNulty (PBP) 255
Jason Mulhall (Ind) 722
John Mullen (FF) 901
Gerry O’Neill (Ind) 2013
Dominic Plant (Ind) 48
Peter Stapleton (FG) 1373
Edward Timmins (FG) 1586
Total electorate: 20661
Total poll: 11269
Invalid ballot papers: 115
Valid poll: 11154
Quota: 1594
Baltinglass (6 seats)
Wicklow County Council: Arklow LEA first count
ELECTED: Pat Kennedy (FF), Peir Leonard (Ind)
First count for Arklow LEA:
Tommy Annesley (FF) 519
Viktoria Bodley (Ind) 126
Sylvester Bourke (FG) 938
Sheila Busher (SF) 428
Lorraine Farrell (PBP) 229
Pat Fitzgerald (FF) 1016
Laurie Kearon (FG) 405
Pat Kennedy (FF) 2791
Peir Leonard (Ind) 2025
Miriam Murphy (Ind) 513
David O’Gorman (Independent Ireland) 498
Warren O’Toole (SF) 709
Total electorate: 19259
Total poll: 10409
Invalid ballot papers: 1041
Valid poll: 10268
Quota: 1467
Arklow (6 seats)
Wicklow County Council: Greystones LEA first count
ELECTED: Stephen Stokes
First count for Greystones LEA:
Mark Barry (Soc Dem) 1077
Anne Waithira Burke (Labour) 386
Jack Commons (FF) 1041
Louise Fenelon Gaskin (FG) 1284
Orla Finn (Ind) 1269
Brian Fogarty (SF) 236
Tom Fortune (Ind) 1421
Antony Goldsmith (Irish Freedom Party) 288
Charlie Keddy (Ind) 108
Esther Kelly (SF) 248
Aileen Lennon (FG) 583
Kellie McConnell (PBP) 326
Lourda Scott (Green Party) 1054
Stephen Stokes (Ind) 2059
Total electorate: 21035
Total poll: 11487
Invalid ballot papers: 107
Valid poll: 11380
Quota: 1626
Greystones (6 seats)
Wicklow County Council: Wicklow LEA first count
ELECTED: John Snell (Ind)
First count for Wicklow LEA:
Danny Alvey (Soc Dem) 1751
Sonia Casey-Shortt (FF) 958
Gail Dunne (FF) 1297
Mia Fahey McCarthy (Green Party) 291
Anthony Hill (SF) 550
Tim Kavanagh (Ind) 126
Mary Kavanagh (Ind) 641
Shane Langrell (FG) 1376
John Larkin (Ind) 761
Paul O’Brien (Labour) 1045
Abbie O’Loughlin (SF) 410
Graham Richmond (FG) 976
John Snell (Ind) 2118
Total electorate: 23378
Total poll: 12423
Invalid ballot papers: 123
Valid poll: 12300
Quota: 1758
Wicklow (6 seats)
01.23
After an extended wait for the first count to begin at the Wicklow Local Election count centre, Bray West incumbents Joe Behan and Melanie Corrigan will serve another term after their re-election.
Of the total electorate of 13,461 in Bray West, the valid poll stood at 7,119, with Behan and Corrigan surpassing a quota of 1,424 with plenty of vote to spare.
A long-serving public representative, Behan retained his seat, with the Independent councillor topping the poll with 2,449 first preference votes.
His 2,449 first preference votes easily surpassed the 1,424 quota, with a total of four seats up for grabs. He also topped the vote in 2019, elected at the first count then as well.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and I hope to repay the trust placed in me over the next five years,” a beaming Cllr Behan said:
“While I am very happy at the moment, I am also very conscious that many people are struggling in many different ways and I aim to ensure that their needs are met.
“Housing still remains a huge issue, and not only for those unfortunate enough to find themselves homeless or those who have been on the social housing waiting list for some time. You also have young couples who are renting or living with their parents because they can’t afford a house in the current market.
“The provision of services and facilities for people with special needs, especially for young children, are also extremely lacking and the Government has been unsuccessful in dealing with it.
“I came away from my campaign knowing that there is a huge amount of work to be carried out and that’s where my focus will be.”
Enniskerry native Melanie Corrigan (Fine Gael), who arrived at the count centre after attending a neighbour’s wedding earlier in the day, was elected with 1,742 first preference votes.
“I’m absolutely delighted that the people of Bray West have put their trust in me again for another five years,” Cllr Corrigan said.
“I’ve worked really hard over the past five years, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity they have given me.
“I hope to do the same for the next five years. Thank you again to those who have put their confidence in me.
Wicklow County Council: Bray West LEA first count
ELECTED: Joe Behan (Ind), Melanie Corrigan (FG)
First count for Bray West LEA:
Joe Behan (Ind) 2449
Rob Carry (Ind) 468
Melanie Corrigan (FG) 1742
Colm Flood (Ind) 61
Bryan Kenna (Labour) 251
Keith Manning (Ind) 356
Dermot O’Brien (SF) 567
Alex Pigot (Green Party) 381
Mick Ryan (SF) 331
Dr Caroline Winstanley (Soc Dem) 513
19.50
With the count now underway at the Wicklow Local Election count centre, Peir Leonard and Joe Behan, two of the early favourites for election based on today’s tallies, have said that they remain cautiously optimistic.
After being elected to the Arklow District Chamber in 2019 on the back of a last minute campaign, Independent Leonard has polled strongly again, with tallies indicating that she has taken 19.7pc of the first preferences in the Arklow LEA.
“It’s still early days, too early to celebrate, but the tallies form earlier looked promising alright,” Leonard said.
“It’s been a long day, and it is going to go on even longer, so let’s see what the evening brings”
Also flying the flag for the Independents, Behan took a resounding 2,405 first preference votes (34.6pc), representing the highest percentage of preferences received by any Wicklow candidate.
“Ah, it’s still early days yet, but it was great to see the tallies earlier and I feel like I can enjoy the count a bit more after seeing them,” Behan said.
“Of course, you never know until that count comes in, but I’m optimistic, and I’ll be more relaxed about the rest of the day. Let’s see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Anthony McNulty of People Before Profit has said that he is heartened by his showing in the tally counts for the Baltinglass LEA.
With six seats up for grabs, Anthony achieved 249 votes (2.3pc) after all 41 boxes were opened. While he looks unlikely to be voted in, he has already vowed to contest the next local elections.
“It’s my first time standing and I am delighted with how I was showing in the tallies, especially as a left candidate for an area which hasn’t voted in someone left for some time,” McNulty said.
“I absolutely loved the campaign trial and meeting people on their door steps and it was a privilege to hear from them as they shared their very personal stories and matters.
“The whole campaign has shaped my appetite for more and I look forward to listening to the people over the next five years and helping people, whatever their needs may be. This election has sharpened my teeth and I will definitely be running again in five years time.”
18.30
With all tallies counted at the Wicklow Local Election count centre, Danny Alvey of the Social Democrats is polling second in Wicklow Municipal District and looks set to be elected in the first count.
In his first time running Danny achieved 1,678 votes (14.2pc) in the tally after all 55 boxes were opened, second only to Cllr John Snell with 2,030 votes.
“I ran a positive campaign focused on communities and what they need and require, rather than issues only in certain areas, such as immigration.
“Public transport, schools and more sporting facilities are what the people want to hear about, rather than immigration, which I regard as more of a distraction than anything else.”
17.20
With all ballot boxes now opened at the Wicklow Local election count centre, tallies show that the substantial lead taken by Fine Gael has now been clawed back by Fianna Fáil, while several Independents look set to secure their seat in count one.
The Arklow LEA appears to be playing out as predicted, with Pat Kennedy (Fianna Fáil) leading the way ahead of party colleague Pat Fitzgerald and Independent Peir Leonard.
Fine Gael candidates in the Baltinglass LEA will have their sights set on hitting the first count quota, with Edward Timmins, Peter Stapleton and Avril Cronin each receiving over or around 10pc of preferences. Long-serving Independent Gerry O’Neill is the outstanding candidate in the the LEA, garnering 18pc of preferences.
In Bray West, incumbents Joe Behan (Independent) and Melanie Corrigan (Fine Gael) have taken the lion’s share of the preferences in their respective electoral areas, while Aoife Flynn-Kennedy took 17pc of preferences in Bray East, which looks set to be the most hotly contested LEA in the county.
Equally, the Greystones LEA shows a broad distribution of preferences, with Stephen Stokes the only candidate that looks set to reach the quota later this afternoon.
In the Wicklow LEA another Independent, John Snell, looks set for re-election with over 17pc of preferences, while Danny Alvey (Social Democrats) and Fine Gael candidate Shane Langrell both received over 10pc of the preferences.
Although all candidates expected to to be elected in the first count are incumbents, there has been substantial support for several new candidates, including Alvey, Stapleton and Langrell, as well as Ian Neary (Independent Ireland) and Louise Fenelon Gaskin (Fine Gael)
Based on the tallies, a 50pc turnout is estimated. The tallying and sorting has now finished. Counting is due to begin.
There are 75 candidates seeking election to 32 seats on Wicklow County Council.
A first count, and hopefully the first news of election candidates, could be as late as midnight, with counters intending to keep going through the night.
