THE people of Limerick turned out in their droves to vote overwhelmingly for a changing of the political guard in both city and county.
Early figures at Saturday’s count at UL indicated that the electorate demanded change, as Fine Gael dealt a hammer blow to Fianna Fail.
Leading the way was Michael Noonan, who topped the poll for the first time in his 30-year political career, with his party harnessing four seats.
On his arrival at UL Arena, he was engulfed in a media scrum.
One photographer emerged to shout: “Jesus, give me a county final any day of the week”.
As he made his victory march to assess the figures from the first count, he was greeted with kudos from the large Fine Gael faithful.
Amongst this group was a lifelong FIne Gael man, Pat Kennedy, who grinned from ear to ear, satisfied with victory.
“My uncle, Willie O’Brien, was a TD for West Limerick and he introduced Michael Noonan to politics,” he proudly stated.
After attending to media duties and celebrating his success with his followers, he sat like an elder statesman to survey RTE’s national election coverage.
Close by sat former minister Tom O’Donnell, with a sense of satisfaction, awaiting confirmation that his nephew Kieran O’Donnell would take the second seat in the constituency.
They were flanked by a team of Fine Gael ladies, who watched the 9 O’Clock News in amusement, as an array of colourful Independents were appointed across the country.
One lady shook her head in disbelief as Mick Wallace topped the poll in Wexford, sporting long hair and a pink polo shirt.
While another elderly lady squinted and exclaimed: “By God!” as Mayor of Roscommon Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, addressed the nation.
Before the first count ended, Tom Neville cast a sharp eye over the disputed votes on behalf of his father Dan.
The former councillor had returned from Sydney for a week to join his father’s campaign.
“Hopefully, Fine Gael can make some difference now. The amount of emigration is frightening. If I walk into a bar in Sydney, I could meet 20 from Newcastle West.
Asked if he would return one day to fill his father’s shoes, he replied:
“I still have a keen interest and I’d like to come home at some stage. I’m doing well at the moment out there so that’s a long way off”.
Many were fawning over the performance of Patrick O’Donovan, in his first general election.
“He’ll be there forever now,” said one assured voter.
“He came up trumps during the floods in Newcastle West and that really stood out,” commented another.
As Neville and O’Donovan were deemed elected, they were hoisted above a sea of Fine Gael supporters to bob up and down in what looked like an elaborate piece of synchronised swimming.
Soon after, similar celebrations ensued as Kieran O’Donnell secured the second city seat on the fifth count, leaving Fine Gael to secure the first four of Limerick’s seven seats.
As the count concluded, Noonan and O’Donnell acknowledged the tough task that lies ahead.
