Mimnagh and Skelly big winners following tense Battle of Ballymahon

On the face of it, Ballymahon Municipal District appeared to have a settled look about it coming into these local elections.

However, the presence of a number of strong candidates in the Lanesboro area ensured that it would be interesting and incredibly tense.

But few could have predicted how intense the battle in this part of the district was to turn out.

On Monday night, the count was completed, following two recounts and two new councillors were elected, Martin Skelly (FG) and Sean Mimnagh (FF).

Also read: How you voted in Ballymahon municipal district: Two recounts and two big name casualties in gruelling Battle of Ballymahon

Sitting councillors Colm Murray (FG) and Gerald Farrell (Ind) crashed out.

Fianna Fáil gained a seat from their main rivals, with Independent Mark Casey holding on, despite a significant drop in his vote (by over 300 to 660).

The Fianna Fáil gain came despite their first preferences being almost 4% less than Fine Gael’s.

Murray’s first preferences went down by 95 from 2019.

Farrell’s went down by 58. Farrell was running as an Independent, having left Fine Gael.

Also read: Longford candidate highlights unease with Mary Lou McDonald’s leadership as Sinn Féin start soul searching

He had stated he wasn’t running again for Fine Gael, but after the party decided not to run his sister Lorraine, he stood as an independent.

Former Longford GAA Chairperson Martin Skelly polled 581 votes. Lanesboro’s Sean Mimnagh polled 593 for Fianna Fáil.

Two recounts were called in Ballymahon.

After the fourth count, just 51 votes separated five candidates.

Sitting councillor Gerald Farrell was then eliminated. He was just a single vote behind Sean Mimnagh. Farrell requested the first recount, which was granted.

Also read: Fine Gael strike deal with Independents to retain control of Longford council

Kenagh councillor Colm Murray was not expected to be scrabbling for one of the last seats along with the Lanesboro candidates.

Murray was Cathaoirleach of the council in the past year. At the last council meeting of this term, he was praised by his fellow councillors for his efforts. However, the voters don’t appear to have been as appreciative.

At the other end of the spectrum, Legan’s Paul Ross put in a barnstorming performance, polling 1,300 first preferences.

In between, Fianna Failers Mick Cahill (866) and Pat O’Toole (714) both polled well to ensure their return to the council.

Independent Mark Casey with 666 first preferences managed to avoid being drawn into the dogfight with Farrell, Sean Mimnagh and Newtowncashel’s Martin Skelly.

Also read: Six new faces and three recounts as Longford local elections produce plenty of drama

Also in the mix was Edgeworthstown’s John Rooney. The Sinn Féin man polled well, with 562 first preferences.

However, his disadvantage was that he was unlikely to benefit sufficiently from transfers from the rest of the field.

Given that he was the only Edgeworthstown candidate, the Lanesboro lads transfers were unlikely to travel that far.

When the recount was ordered, Colm Murray looked to be in serious trouble. Murray, much like Rooney, would be unlikely to benefit from all the transfers floating around the shannonside area.

Also read: Fine Gael polls 13% higher than Fianna Fáil in Longford local elections as the parties share sixteen seats

Independent Niall Dowler, who is based in Ballymahon, polled 425 first preferences. Despite this strong showing, he didn’t trouble local councillor Pat O’Toole.

Another Lanesboro based candidate, Mandy Larkin (The Irish People), picked up 161 first preferences.

Ardagh based Francesa Pawelcyzk (Independent) polled just 80 first preferences.

The Lanesboro area became an intense battleground. Most other areas went according to form.

Much like in Longford municipal district, Fianna Fail’s vote management paid off very well.

Longford #LE24: Mimnagh, Casey, O'Toole and Skelly elected as Colm Murray loses out in Ballymahon

Fine Gael, meanwhile, will have to ponder the disparity in the vote between two sitting councillors, Paul Ross and Colm Murray.
Martin Skelly managed to hold onto the Lanesboro seat filled by Gerald Farrell.

Voter turnout in the Ballymahon municipal district was 58.78%, which is slightly down from the 60.08% turnout in the 2019 local elections.

7,093 of the 12,067 people on the electoral register came out and used their vote in Ballymahon MD.

Of the first preference vote, Fine Gael secured 34.46% (2,419), Fianna Fáil 30.95% (2.173), Independents 24.27% (1,704), Sinn Féin 8% (562) and The Irish People 2.3% (161).

LIVE BLOG: Longford voters give their verdict in Local Elections 2024 #LE24 #LocalElections24