THE Adare-Rathkeale district has been the first district in Limerick City and County to fill all its seats. With a brand new political party taking a full third of the seats in the district, it has become a major talking point at the Limerick count centre.
Local TD Richard O’Donoghue’s Independent Ireland were the big winners in this district with both John O’Donoghue (brother of the Dáil member and party co-founder) and 23-year-old Tommy Hartigan being elected without reaching the quota.
Fianna Fáil’s Ger Ward was also successful, securing the last seat, also without reaching the quota.
Speaking to the Limerick Post after his election, Independent Ireland councillor John O’Donoghue said that he was delighted to secure a seat on his first time out for the fledgling party.
“It’s seriously important for Richard (O’Donoghue) himself, and huge congrats to Tommy (Hartigan), it’s a big boost, it’s a fledgling party, it’s new out of the box, so yeah, absolutely elated,” he said.
Party colleague Tommy Hartigan said that his election brought a feeling of “relief and satisfaction”.
“It was a long road, but we got there at the end and delighted it’s over, and looking forward to getting out to work again,” Cllr Hartigan told the Limerick Post.
The Independent Ireland party offered a “common sense approach,” Mr Hartigan said.
“Common sense will solve a lot of problems, and with the backing that was there, with independence, I felt it was the right move. I couldn’t align with any particular party because I didn’t believe in them as a party to join with. And Richard offered me an alternative,” he said.
Fianna Fáil’s Ger Ward also took a seat in this district, with all six seats in the district filled.
The Adare-Rathkeale electoral area’s six seats are now filled, with two candidates from Fianna Fáil, two from Fine Gael, and two from Independent Ireland.
The other three seats in the district went to Bridie Collins (FF), Stephen Keary (FG), and Adam Teskey (FG).
