Dublin: As the counting of votes continues for the local elections in Ireland, results for 480 out of the 949 seats have been announced. More than 100 councillors were elected on the first day of counting.
Indian Candidates in the Election
Out of the fifteen Indian candidates who contested, only four secured victory:
1. Baby Perepadan (Fine Gael): An existing councillor from Tallaght, re-elected to the South Dublin Council.
2. Brito Perepadan (Fine Gael): Son of Baby Perepadan, elected from the Tallaght Central Constituency.
3. Thomas Joseph: Elected to the Dun Laoghaire Council.
4. Feljin Jose (Green Party): Won the highest number of votes in the Cabra Glansevin constituency.
Other Indian candidates, including Linquinster Mathew, Roy Kunchilakatt, Jithin Ram, Regi C Jacob, Lekha Menon Margasheri, and Rupesh Panicker, did not win their respective contests.
Counting Progress and Party Performance
The counting of votes, which paused overnight, resumed on Sunday morning. The ruling parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, have made significant gains in the elections. However, the Green Party has experienced a notable decline in both vote share and number of seats. Public Expenditure Minister Pascal Donohoe stated that accusations of Fine Gael’s collapse were unfounded.
Sinn Féin’s Performance
Sinn Féin’s efforts to recover from their poor performance in the 2019 election have not been successful. Many of their candidates, including those in urban areas of Dublin, lagged behind.
Limerick Mayoral Election
In the Limerick mayoral election, independent candidate John Moran is seen as the most likely winner by political observers. The final count and official results are expected after Monday.
As counting continues, the overall landscape of local governance in Ireland is taking shape. The ruling parties have strengthened their positions, while Sinn Féin and the Green Party face challenges. The outcomes highlight shifting political dynamics and voter sentiments across the country.
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