His three daughters hoisted him in the air

CLLR Eddie Ryan nearly had air sickness he was hoisted so high by his daughters Margaret, Brigid and Rachel after he was elected this Sunday.

The long-serving Galbally councillor was emotional as his name was called out and the cheers went up.

“It sounds good. I'm an emotional guy. To leave a party, and to go it alone, is a big challenge,” said Cllr Ryan.

The former Fianna Fail man left the party in 2020 and ran as an Independent in Cappamore-Kilmallock.

Were you worried about going without the cloak of a party?

“There would be a question mark, there certainly would because you don't have a party leader, you don't have a manifesto. You're just standing on your record and my record over the past 15 years has stood to me in going door to door.

“They recognise me, I'm not waiting five years to turn up at the door again. I'm involved in the community,” said Cllr Ryan, who added that it must be a record to be hoisted high in the air after being elected by three daughters.

He thanked his family, his great team and the people of Galbally and surrounding areas.

“I'm glad to be there for them and to help them in the years ahead,” said Cllr Ryan, who can now head off from Limerick Racecourse, enjoy the Munster final and cheer on fellow Galbally man John Kiely.