Longford #LE24 latest: Outgoing Cathaoirleach Colm Murray fighting for political survival - 'The odds are against me at present'
'Of the five remaining candidates, three of them are from the same area'
9 pm on Sunday in the Edgeworthstown count centre. Weariness is understandably setting in among the count staff and candidates.
Then, the news that a full recount has been granted in the Ballymahon LEA.
It follows from the elimination of sitting councillor Gerard Farrell, who is just one vote behind the next placed candidate, Sean Mimnagh.
But that is just one story that is emerging from the Ballymahon LEA. Overall, there are five candidates within 51 votes of each other following the fourth count. There are just two seats on offer to these five.
One of these men is outgoing Cathaoirleach of the council, Colm Murray.
The Kenagh man has been on the council since 2013 but now finds his seat hanging by a thread.
When speaking to the Leader, Murray is pragmatic and a little resigned that he may be departing the council.
“The odds are against me at present. Of the five remaining candidates, three of them are from the same area,” he stated.
Murray feels that his only option for survival is to “stay ahead of John Rooney and benefit from his transfers,” but concedes that he is “clutching at straws” with such a scenario.
Murray is left to ponder on his own campaign. “I have to look at my overall strategy and could I have done more,” he stated.
The run-in to this election was “exceptionally busy” for Murray. He was Cathaoirleach of the council in the past year. His duties included the recent famine commemoration in Edgeworthstown.
Such an event should be a high point for any local representative. Less than a mile up the road from where the event took place, his fate will be decided.
“The past year was difficult at times, between being Cathaoirleach and having a day job. However, it was the honour of my life being the Cathaoirleach. Many councillors do not get that opportunity,” he commented.