This weekend was a successful one for the Greens, who return to Clare County Council, and for Fianna Fáil who increased their representation
The so-called ‘Dev’s County’ of Clare saw Fianna Fáil claim 13 of the Council’s 28 seats.
Only one of their candidates, Martin O’Loghlen, failed to be returned, and the party also secured the highest share of the vote at 38%.
Four new Councillors were also elected for the party – but former Fianna Fáil TD and Minister Tony Killeen says lessons will still have to be learned.
Fine Gael, meanwhile, held onto their eight seats – in the Ennis and Killaloe areas, they were the most popular choice among voters.
Though Taoiseach Leo Varadkar admitted he was disappointed with the overall performance of Fine Gael, Clarecastle TD Joe Carey feels the standard of their candidates locally stood to them in Clare:
Roisin Garvey is the first Green Councillor elected here for a decade, on a weekend in which the Greens were among the big winners nationally.
Party leader Eamon Ryan is welcoming the support.
But there was disappointment nationally for Sinn Féin, although their sole Councillor Mike McKee did retain his seat.
One of those who lost out, Donna Deirdre McGettigan in Ennis, admits they have to do more to get their supporters out to vote.
Overall, there was a 55% turnout in Clare, down from the 57.6% in 2014, with five independent candidates also elected.
