A devoted daughter made an amazing journey today to ensure that her dad would not lose out once again after he previously lost his council seat by just ONE vote!
Donegal county councillor Jimmy Kavanagh was heartbroken in 2004 when he lost his seat by just one vote in the local elections.
His daughter Lea now lives in San Francisco but follows her dad’s political career closely.
For the past few weeks while Jimmy’s family and friends were canvassing door to door in Letterkenny for the Fine Gael councillor, Lea felt a little helpless.
It didn’t help that the same family and friends kept reminding her how her ONE vote could be the difference to her dad continuing his political career.
Leah Kavanagh who made a surprise trip home from America to cast her vote pictured with her father outgoing Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh, her mother Rosin and her sister Michelle Connely and nephew Jack pictured as they all cast their vote in Letterkenny. Yesterday. Photo Brian McDaid.
So nothing would do Lea than to make the 7,985km journey to make sure she was able to vote for her beloved dad.
She flew in today just in time to put an ‘x’ in the box beside her dad’s name.
A delighted Jimmy, who knew nothing of the secret trip, was speechless when Lea turned up at a polling station at Trinity Hal in Letterkenny in Letterkenny.
Jimmy told Donegal Daily “I was just speechless. I didn’t now what to say. It’s wonderful to have all the family together now for what hopefully be a great occasion.”
Lea, who works in investments in the US, has been in the US for five years but was determined to make the 17-hour journey to vote for her dad.
Leah Kavanagh who made a surprise trip home from America to cast her vote pictured with her father outgoing Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh, her mother Rosin and her sister Michelle Connely pictured as they all cast their vote in Letterkenny. Yesterday. Photo Brian McDaid.
“I flew into Dublin and then took another flight from Dublin to Carrickfin Airport. It was amazing to fly into Donegal.
“I felt so helpless not being able to canvass for him over the past six weeks so hopefully my vote will help him a little. I really do hope he does it again,” she said.
All will be revealed on Sunday whether Lea’s marvellous journey was worth it – if her dad gets across the line.
Outgoing Fine Gael Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh’s expression says it all as he spots his daughter Leah who made a surprise trip home from America to cast her vote in Letterkenny yesterday. Photo Brian McDaid.