Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has become the county’s first Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in 30 years.
The Scarriff TD, Sinn Féin’s Kathleen Funchion and former RTÉ broadcaster Cynthia Ní Mhurchú of Fianna Fáil, took the final three seats in the Ireland South constituency this evening. Counting has now concluded at the Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork.
They will join sitting MEPs Seán Kelly of Fine Gael, who was elected on the first count, and Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher as MEPs for the constituency. Kelleher was reelected earlier today on the 18th count.
Independents4Change MEP Mick Wallace has lost his seat as the lowest-placed candidate after the 20th count.
The last MEP from Clare was the late Paddy Lane who was elected to the European Parliament in the 1989 election in what was then the Munster constituency, serving until 1994. Before Mr Lane, the late Defence and Environment Minister Sylvester Barrett served as an MEP between June 1984 and June 1989.
Speaking after his election last night, Mr McNamara said: “I am absolutely honoured to follow in the footsteps of Parteen’s Paddy Lane on being elected as an MEP and I am proud to represent the people of Clare and Ireland South.
I am especially thankful to my small team who helped in my campaign over the past few months and I am looking forward to getting down to the job at hand of representing the people of Ireland in Europe.”
The five MEPs who will represent Ireland South are:
Seán Kelly (FG) (surpassed the quota in the first count)
Billy Kelleher (FF)
Kathleen Funchion (SF)
Michael McNamara (Ind)
Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (FF)
Counting has concluded in Ireland South – here’s confirmation from the returning officer of the five MEPs that will be heading to Brussels in July to take their seats at the European Parliament.
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