BREAKING: Fianna Fail's Azad Talukder makes more history as he wins second term in Limerick City West
City's first Muslim councillor retains his seat
FIANNA FAIL's Azad Talukder has made more history, by returning for a second term as a councillor in Limerick City East.
He was elected on the 12th and final count without reaching the quota, securing 1,278 first preference votes.
He took the sixth seat in City West, and was returned at the same time as Cllr Elisa O'Donovan, Cllr Fergus Kilcoyne and Independent Maria Donoghue.
"I've had a lot of support from the community, it's paid off from the work I did I believe. That's why our community came together and they chose me. I appreciate whoever votes or supports me," he said.
Cllr Talukder, the current metropolitan district leader came to Ireland in the year 2000, and has worked in bars as well as as a cab driver in Limerick.
He was first elected in 2019 with 697 first preference votes.
Despite the fact he significantly increased his poll to four figures, he was left to sweat as this Sunday went on, due to the fact he was not picking up the transfers which would have smoothed his path to council.
This was the reason he avoided the Limerick Racecourse today, he admitted.
"Unfortunately, my transfer was very weak. I didn't come the whole day today. I was a bit nervous about the transfers. But thank God, it all went well," Cllr Talukder added.
The election of Cllr Talukder, and the three other candidates brought the count in City West to a conclusion.