All seven outgoing Councillors retain their seats as Sinn Féin’s Sandra McLellen tops the poll and Fianna Fáil remains the most popular party in Youghal  by Éanna Dowling  Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)
Saturday June 6 2009, 20:30

All seven outgoing Town Councillors retained their seats on Youghal Town Council as Sinn Féin’s Sandra McLellen topped the poll and Fianna Fáil took the largest share of the vote. Two new Councillors, Eoin Coyne of Fianna Fáil and Labour’s Donie Daly were elected, both on the first count. The turnout of 60% in Youghal was in keeping with the national average.

 There will be three Fianna Fáil, two Sinn Féin, two Fine Gael, one Labour and one Green Party representatives on Youghal Town Council. After the first count, the only issue in doubt was whether Michelle Hennessey of Sinn Féin would retain a narrow 14 vote lead over the Robert Sweetnam of Fine Gael. However, on the second count, Henessey got a transfer of over 60% of McLellen’s surplus, leaving her over 100 votes clear of Sweetnam. From that point on, the returning officer was merely going through motions as the outcome of the ballot became clear.

 Sandra McLellen of Sinn Féin topped the poll with 524 votes and party colleague Michelle Hennessey was deemed elected on the last count without reaching the quota. After scoring 168 first preference votes, Hennessey gathered 114 of McLellen’s surplus of 182. Solid Sinn Féin transfers ensured the party keeps two representatives on the Council.

First time candidate Eoin Coyne was one of 4 candidates elected on the first count, retaining the Fianna Fáil seat left open by the retirement of David Savage. Seasoned Councillors Sammy Revins and Mary Linehan Foley were elected on later counts, leaving FF with 3 seats. Eoin Coyne’s massive 414 votes are a fantastic achievement for a first time young candidate. The 20 year old student tapped into a youth vote and he will bring an important young perspective to the Council Chamber for the next 5 years.

As the national picture emerges, Fianna Fáil will doubtless view the results in Youghal as a bright light on a dark day. The party retained its three seats and maintained its position as attracting the largest share of the vote. The party got over 31% of the vote, as its candidates struck a chord with local people.

 Fine Gael will be pleased that Michael Beecher retained his seat, elected with 508 votes on the first count. Barbara Murray also retained her seat but the third Fine Gael candidate on the ballot, Robert Sweetnam did not gather enough transfers to mount a serious challenge.

The Labour Party gain a seat on Youghal Town Council as Donie Daly came fourth in the poll, elected on the first count. It is the first time since the 1980s for Labour to be represented on the Town Council. Daly canvassed hard locally and struck a chord with the voters, capitalising on a national wave of support for the party. The Green Party’s Liam Burke retained the seat he has held since 1991, maintaining his core support level and easing to the quota by picking up transfers from all quarters.

Full list of elected representatives for Youghal Town Council:
Sandra McLellen Sinn Féin
Michael Beecher Fine Gael
Eoin Coyne, Fianna Fáil
Donie Daly, Labour
Barbara Murray Fine Gael
Sammy Revins, Fianna Fáil
Mary Linehan Foley, Fianna Fáil
Liam Burke, Green Party
Michelle Hennessey, Sinn Féin

Net Change: Labour + 1; Independents – 1

Click on image to see the slideshow of the local election 2009 at Youghal Town Hall