Independent candidates also in the hunt for seats in European Parliament
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan at counting in Castlebar for the Midlands North West constituency in the European elections. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Some 198 Independents and others from micro-parties were returned in the 2019 local elections – 22.4 per cent on that occasion – and the number elected as councillors is likely to be exceeded this year. Asked about the trend, Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said there were “lots of decent hard-working Independent candidates” while arguing the collapse in Sinn Féin’s support was more significant than the increase in Independents.
Former Green Party TD Paul Gogarty retained his seat as an Independent councillor on South Dublin County Council. Another well-known politician elected at the weekend was former Independent Alliance TD Kevin “Boxer” Moran, who served as Minister of State for the Office of Public Works during the Fine Gael-led minority government in place before the 2020 general election. With 3,725 first preference votes safely winning him a seat on Westmeath County Council, Mr Moran said “I am 100 per cent running for the Dáil”.
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