It's the rise of the Independents in Tramore-Waterford City West as gains made
Joe Kelly, Ind, who was elected at Election 24 at SETU Arena. Photo: Joe Evans
This year's local election in Waterford through up some surprises while for the most part retaining somewhat of a status quo situation in most of the electoral areas.
However, there were some changes and in the Tramore-Waterford City West electoral area it was a case of the rise of the independents as the loss of the Green Party resulted in gains for an independent political voice.
Cllr Cristiona Kiely, who contested the area for the Green Party lost her seat, albeit at the 11th hour and in some ways she may have been the victim of the backlash against her party generally as she is someone who would be viewed a very conscientious worker and passionate about her area.
However, her party's loss was an Independent's gain with election of former Fianna Fáil party member and Councillor, Blaise Hannigan. An Independent candidate this time around - as he was in the 2014 local elections - he won his seat with an impressive total of 1,214 votes on the final count.
Similarly, Independent Councillor Joe Conway, who was also Mayor of Waterford City and County, also secured their seats on the final count with total of 1,279 votes.
Meanwhile, Independent Councillor, Joe Kelly, retained his seat at the seventh count with 1,200 votes.
It marked a subtle but significant change in the political dynamic of the Tramore-Waterford City West area because it gives the Independents a dominant voice for that area.
The other three members of the incoming six-member Council for that area will include Cllr Jim Griffin (Sinn Féin), Cllr Eamon Quinlan (Fianna Fáil) and poll topper, Cllr Lola O'Sullivan (Fine Gael), who all retained their seats.
