LETTERKENNY: Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry McMonagle’s celebrations went right around the world as he took the third seat in the Letterkenny LEA before the recount.
McMonagle’s re-election was cheered on by his delighted family in the Aura after midnight tonight, while one special family member was having a very good morning in Australia.
Gerry’s daughter Dearbhaile made the moment even more memorable by beaming into the count centre via a Facetime call.
And it was the more the merrier as McMonagle breathed a sigh of relief after his toughest campaign yet.
Sinn Féin ran three candidates across the Letterkenny LEA – 20-year politician Gerry McMonagle, Sandra Haughey for Manorcunningham and Ulick Hughes covering Glenswilly and Churchill.
The party’s three-candidate strategy didn’t fulfil their plan of at least two elected councillors in Letterkenny, but the transfers ensured McMonagle was back in the Chamber.
Speaking to Donegal Daily, he said: “There was a big field, a lot of candidates, a lot of issues, it was a very courteous campaign, we were well received on the doors, but it was a big field and it wasn’t easy. I think the record I have as a sitting councillor of 20 years, both town and county stood by me.”
WATCH:
TENTH COUNT IN LETTERKENNY
Kevin Bradley (Non-Party) – +34, 986
Ciaran Brogan (Fianna Fail) – +44 1,607
Donal Coyle (Fianna Fail) – +39 – 1,105
Tomás Seán Devine (100% Redress) – +60 1,680 ELECTED
Jimmy Kavanagh (Fine Gael) – +35 – 1,508
Michael McBride (Non-Party) – +29 – 1,364
Gerry McMonagle (Sinn Fein) – +503 – 1,711 ELECTED
Mary T Sweeney (Aontu) – +38, 988
