Final (unconfirmed) results for 7-seat district:

Fitzgerald (IND)

Killian (FF)

Bonner (IND)

Doherty (FG)

McGowan (LAB)

Leonard (FF)

Murphy (FG)

Last Eliminated: O’Connor (FG)

Final results, from the Meath Chronicle:

  June 8, 2009, Noon:

A full recount is taking place at the request of Fianna Fail.

The recount should be complete by 4pm.

Two more counts are expected after that, to finish this evening.

While you’re waiting, a colour piece on Mairead McGuinness from the Irish Times blog.

Here are the results as of when counting stopped last night, June 07. There may be a recount this morning, at Fianna Fail’s request:

Fitzgerald, Independent, elected.

Killian, Fianna Fail, elected.

(Quota 2,112)

Bonner, independent 2080

Doherty, Fine Gael, 1913

McGowan, Labour, 1680

Murphy, Fine Gael, 1213

Leonard, Fianna Fail, 1189

O’Connor, Fine Gael, 1,173

Fanning, Fine Gael

Tormey, Fianna Fail

Brooks, Fianna Fail.

If the recount doesn’t change things, then Brooks votes will be redistributed.

For more general news from the elections, try the Irish Times tracker.

Tallies from First Round of local election votes for Dunshaughlin District:

Fitzgerald (Ind) 2359

Killian (FF) 2041

Doherty (FG) 1625

Bonner (Ind) 1534

Leonard (FF) 1044

O’Connor (FG) 1043

Murphy (FG) 1016

Brooks (FF) 888

McGowan (Lab) 926

Tormey (FF) 911

Fanning (FG) 861

Bobbett (Ind) 737

McLoughlin (Lab) 506

King (Lab) 415

O Gallchoir (SF) 293

Long (IND) 147

O Buachalla (GP) 127

Sirena Campbell, Slane FG candidate for the local elections, found that Sinn Fein distributed misleading information, giving the impression that Sinn Fein had set up a drugs helpline, when in fact it was funded by the Department of Justice.  From the Irish Independent:

Sinn Fein accused of hijacking drugs helpline

20th May 2009

PRESS RELEASE

A Way Of Life Under Pressure

Farm Families Hurting As Prices Collapse

Maria Murphy, Fine Gael candidate in the Dunboyne area in the local elections has called for action by the Government to address the income crisis facing many farm families.

“Farming as a way of life is under serious threat. Farm gate prices for milk and beef have suffered dramatic falls in price. Many farm families as a result are in dire trouble. They are struggling to survive.”

“The dramatic fall in prices paid to farmers is not being reflected on supermarket shelves. This is a further reflection of the weakness of the Government but in particular the Tanaiste, Mary Coughlan TD who has responsibility for consumer prices.”

“The anger felt by farmers was reflected in a recent protest by potato growers at a meeting of Tesco executives in Ashbourne.”

“Following prodding from Fine Gael the Government recently froze commercial rates for three years. They should now show similar imagination and address the income crisis facing farmers across County Meath and nationally.”

“Fine Gael has a strong tradition of supporting farm families. It recognises farmers are not receiving a fair price for their produce. It demands a response from Government.”

ENDS

for more details contact:

Maria Murphy, 3 The Close, Lutterell Hall, Dunboyne, Co. Meath.

Mariacmurphy@eircom.net

087-6579895

20th May 2009

PRESS RELEASE

Murphy Condemns Planned Axing Of Local Bus Routes

Maria Murphy, Fine Gael candidate for the Dunboyne area in the local elections has condemned the plans by Bus Eireann to axe a range of routes serving the people of South Meath.

“The planned cuts in bus routes are an attack on the way of life of many thousands of families living in towns like Dunboyne, Ashbourne, Ratoath and Dunshaughlin. Families have chosen to move to towns like Dunboyne or Ashbourne on the basis of a good quality bus service. Very many commuters made the welcome decision in recent years to use public transport. The planned cutbacks in the local bus service is a kick in the teeth to those bus users.”

“Every morning and evening hundreds of students leave towns and villages across South Meath to travel to universities and other third level colleges in Dublin. The reality is these students or their families could not afford the cost of accommodation in Dublin. The planned axing of bus routes after 7pm will leave this group of commuters in a terrible predicament.”

“These planned cutbacks will be fought tooth and nail by the people of Dunboyne, Dunshaughlin and the people of South Meath. The incoming Councillors to Meath County Council will have to take a strong stand on this issue. If implemented the plans would have a devastating impact on the future quality of life of people across Meath. “The planned cutbacks also raise very serious questions over the Governments and in particular the Green Party’s commitment to public transport and the environment.”

END

For more details contact: Maria Murphy, 3 The Close, Lutterell Hall, Dunboyne, Co. Meath. Mariacmurphy@eircom.net 087-6579895

You are all invited to my Campaign Launch next Monday 11th May @ 9pm in Peters Bar, Main St, Dunshaughlin (opposite Arch Bar).
 
My guests will include Mairead McGuinness MEP, Damian English TD & Shane Mcentee TD. 
 
Gerry O’Connor
  
My website is live at www.goconnor.ie.

9 May 2009

PRESS RELEASE

Leo Varadkar TD Launches Maria Murphy’s Election Campaign

Leo Varadkar TD Fine Gael Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment launched Maria Murphy’s campaign for the local elections in Slevins last Friday. Maria Murphy is the Fine Gael candidate in the Dunboyne area. Speaking at the launch Maria Murphy highlighted the heartache being caused to families across County Meath by unemployment and the fear of unemployment.

“The Governments response to the national crisis is concentrated solely on the public finances and the problems with the banks. The impact of joblessness on families does not feature in the Governments thinking.”

“Fine Gael, and Richard Bruton in particular has long recognised our economy was built on shaky foundations. Our economy is now on life support. The country is losing jobs at an alarming rate. This is traumatic for both the people losing their jobs and their families. It demands a spirited response from the Government and its agencies.”

“The Government failed to fix things when the sun was shining on our economy. Why should we have any confidence in them now? Every day they fall on another banana skin. I am convinced they are not up to the job. That also reflects the response I am getting on doorsteps on my canvass. People are telling me, now is the time for change.”

“Unemployment is a national crisis. We are looking at the reality of 500,000 people being on the dole. The Government has its head stuck in the sand. They need to be imaginative. They should, for a start cut employers PRSI. They should look at the job potential of sectors like tourism and agriculture and a reduction in VAT to incentivise the economy.”

“Meath County Council is the axis around which our county operates. Meath has huge potential. It can have a great future. Lessons must be learned by the incoming Council from the mistakes of the past where basic services like water, sewerage, a proper roads network and a broadband service did not keep pace with housing development.”

“We are living in extremely challenging times. I remain optimistic however about the future. As a Councillor I will be giving top priority to bringing forward workable solutions to solving the many issues the Council will face. I look forward to the challenge”.

ENDS

For more details contact: Maria Murphy, 3 The Close, Lutterell Hall, Dunboyne, Co. Meath. Mariacmurphy@eircom.net  087-6579895

Time for Act on Infrastructure Deficit in Kilmessan – Fine Gael’s O’Connor

Local election candidate calls on Meath County Council to establish a rural taskforce to address the needs of communities such as Kilmessan.

May 6, 2009: The residents of Kilmessan are entitled to a proper bus, broadband and mobile phone service. It falls to Meath County Council, Bus Eireann, Eircom and the mobile phone operators to provide the necessary facilities to residents of this village.

“In an age where most people take mobile phone coverage for granted, Kilmessan residents must dance around their sitting rooms, put their faces next to their front windows and become virtual contortionists just to make a mobile phone call,” said Gerry O’Connor, the local area representative for Fine Gael in Dunshaughlin and Kilmessan.

“Village residents have problems getting broadband access and have to pay €30 per week to get their children to school, using a private bus operator,” said Gerry. “Kilmessan has been ignored across a range of basic infrastructure requirements.”

“Government neglect of basic infrastructure has led to these problems and they must be addressed immediately,” said Gerry O’Connor. “A regular and affordable bus service is vital for any growing community, to facilitate young people and reduce car dependence.”

“Increasing numbers of people are working from home, or trying to start businesses from their living room after losing their jobs. They need basic phone and internet services just to get off the ground.”

ENDS

For more details contact:
Gerry O’Connor                                                     
goconnor@gaelic.ie                                             
087-2838311                                                       
http://meathfinegael.wordpress.com