The former mayor has retained his seat

FIANNA FÁIL councillor Francis Foley has retained his seat in the Newcastle West area.

The Abbeyfeale man got 1,756 votes in the eighth count.

Speaking to Limerick Live ahead of the results, he said that he has been purposefully growing his nails a bit longer, in anticipation of the nail-biting wait.

He said: “Definitely has been a long, long wait, but well worth it. It was an exciting kind of a day being honest about it, but when you get the result you went out to achieve, it’s great.”

Going for his fifth term, he said that he hopes the Limerick team will also win their bid for five in a row.

“I’ve achieved my five in a row and I’ve no doubt the Limerick team will do exactly the same,” he said.

Cllr Foley’s mother is currently recovering from a fall, but she wished him luck this morning and he said the win is for her.

“I’m dedicating the seat to her,” he said proudly.

Cllr Foley was also supported by a very tiny number one fan as his five and a half month old granddaughter Ellie was proudly flying the flag for her grandfather.

Fellow sitting councillor Tom Ruddle from Newcastle West and John Sheahan from Glin also retained their seats.

It is now the only area, which remained completely unchanged across all of the County Limerick areas.