Anglim transitions from non-runner to Tipperary election success story

Cllr Micheál Anglim retained his seat on Tipperary County Council after putting in a strong campaign after an uncertain start.

His election to the final seat saw all four sitting Cahir councillors returned.

Ironically it was the significant number of transfers from his running mate PJ English that saw him over the line.

It was his third time going before the voters but he announced at the start of the campaign that he had decided not to contest the election.

In his absence Fianna Fáil called on PJ English to run and reluctantly he agreed to go for the seat with the backing of Micheál Anglim.

Days later Micheál Anglim changed his mind leaving two party members on the ticket.

Ultimately Anglim was to be very grateful to PJ English for the hefty amount of transfers that saw him elected in the eight count at the count centre in Thurles on Saturday.

Anglim received 244 votes in the distribution of the 516 votes of his party running mate PJ English in count eight to bring him over the quota of 1,437 with 1,462 votes.

His closest challenger Tom Hennessy received only 99 transfers from English which left the first-time candidate a considerable distance behind Anglim who clinched the final seat.

Following his election Cllr Anglim acknowledged that it was a mistake to announce that he would not be contesting the election.

“I am very happy that I changed my mind.

“It was a mistake at the time, it was for personal reasons because of the farm and I have made changes so not as much of my time is taken up with farming now and that has allowed me to go and focus on continuing to be a councillor,” said Cllr Anglim.

Cllr Anglim said he wanted to see progress made on housing in the Cahir area over the next term of the council.

He said that two important sites had been secured for housing in the Ardfinnan area and the provision of new houses would be important.

Cllr Anglim said he was pleased that his vote held up and he believed the work he did on the Ardfinnan bridge development, the playground, and on road projects stood to him.

He thanked family, friends and voters who supported him during his campaign.

“It takes a lot for people to put their name out there and go before the people and I would admire any person that does that. I got over the line and thanks to all who backed me. Their support never wavered,” he said.

He was co-opted on to the council in 2013 and this was his third successful election.

“It was my first time going in an election when my party was in Government so I was unsure how it would go but my vote and the party vote held up well,” said Cllr Anglim.