New Sinn Féin and female representation in Portlaw/Kilmacthomas
Catherine Burke, Sinn Féin, who was elected at Election 24 at SETU Arena. Photo: Joe Evans
All four sitting councillors retained their seats in the Portlaw/ Kilmacthomas LEA (Comeragh), with Liam Brazil, Seanie Power, John O’Leary and Declan Clune all re-elected.
The retirement of Ger Barron prior to the elections means that Labour loses a seat, making way for new Sinn Féin representation in the name of primary school teacher Catherine Burke.
“It’s a huge lift to have a woman elected to the Comeragh Council so it’s just fantastic,” she said, "I think people genuinely want to see women elected to the council. I’m a working mother, it will be a balancing act and I’m up for the challenge.”
She added, “I’ve been a member of Sinn Féin for six years and having a left leaning party represented in the Comeragh is so vital.
“The issues that are important to me are the bread and butter issues, housing, maintenance, roads, transport, and there’s so much work to be done in our area and I’m really looking forward to get started."
The chamber is now comprised of councillors representing Fine Gael (two seats), Fianna Fáil (one seat), Independents (one seat) and Sinn Fein (one seat). Both Fine Gael candidates got over the line early, as Liam Brazil and Seanie Power got re-elected on the first count.
Brazil tallied well in Stradbally and Kilrossanty, whereas Power had strong support from Rathgormack, Clonea Power and the Crehana area.
Former Mayor of Waterford City & County, John O’Leary (Fianna Fáil) retained his seat on count two, receiving 1,104 first preference votes, tallying well in Ballyduff and Kilmeaden.
John said, “I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted. This is my fourth term on the council and I want to see the Comeragh area, the rural part of Ireland making progress on all stages and to serve the young people who are coming along.”
It wasn’t until the eighth count where the remaining two seats were filled, with former Sinn Féin, and now Independent councillor Declan Clune getting back in. Declan received 898 first preference votes. Catherine Burke was elected alongside Clune on the eighth count.
