Bitter sweet election for family politics in Waterford
Lola O'Sullivan FG, who was elected on the first count at SETU Arena in the Waterford Local Election 24 pictured with her sister Grace. Photo: Joe Evans
There were certain aspects to this year's local elections in County Waterford that made it a family affair and in that regard it was bitter sweet for some.
Sinn Féin's, Cllr Jim Griffin won back his seat in the Tramore-Waterford City West electoral ward having got over the line along with fellow Councillors, Joe Conway (Independent), Eamon Quinlan (Fianna Fáíl) and Blaise Hannigan (Independent) in the last count of the entire election at 10.22pm on Sunday night.
For Cllr Griffin it was a bitter sweet moment in particular as he was delighted to get re-elected but his wife, Caroline, ran in the Waterford City East electoral area.
Where Cllr Griffin regained his seat, his wife Caroline, who also ran for Sinn Féin, lost out at the third count in her area with a final total of 346 votes.
Cllr Lola O'Sullivan topped the poll in the Tramore-Waterford City West area with an impressive 1,313 first preference votes resulting in her being elected on the first count.
Her sister, MEP Grace O'Sullivan is in a battle to regain her European seat in the Ireland South European elections. While she acknowledged it was going to be a battle to win her seat back again, at the count centre on Saturday night Grace spoke to Waterford News & Star and was very much there to support her sister.
"This is all about Lola and as a family we are all very proud of her and what she has achieved," said Grace.
"We are from a very big family, there are eight children in the family and six of us live is Tramore," she added. She also acknowledged the "dedication and commitment" her sister showed to her party but emphasised that "first and foremost" she always had the best interests of those who elected her at heart.
A first count on the Euro elections is expected around lunchtime today.
Another family who contested this year's elections were the Hayes. John Hayes, who ran for Sinn Féin, is known internationally for his world championship exploits in the world of wood carving. A passionate and proud Waterford man his first time candidacy saw him eliminated on the fifth count in the Tramore-Waterford City West constituency.
Similarly, his brother Richie, who ran for Fine Gael as a first time candidate in the same constituency, was eliminated on the following count. Richie is very well known on the entertainment front.
