Local elections: Transfer to be the master to fill openings in Glenties MD

One of the most interesting battles for seats on Donegal County Council is set to go to the trenches at the Highlands Hotel in Glenties.

The six-seater Glenties Municipal District has some openings.

The sad death in December of Fianna Fáir Councillor Noreen McGarvey left one vacancy that went without a co-option in the months since.

Earlier this year, Sinn Féin Councillor Marie Therese Gallagher stepped down with Glenties man Brian Carr co-opted.

Carr is one of the candidates vying to make it to the County House in Lifford for the first time.

Independent Councillors Micheál Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig and Michael McClafferty will be the first elected.

It is expected that returning officer, Paddy Doherty, will have a first count sometime in the early afternoon with both MacGiolla Easbuig and McClafferty exceeding the 1,867 quota.

MacGiolla Easbuig's vote has remained consistent from 2019, the Annagry man taking 2,111 first preferences according to the tally figures. In 2019, MacGiolla Easbuig earned 2,007 votes.

McClafferty has had a significant rise – almost doubling his vote with 1,902 first preferences set to see him held aloft this afternoon. In 2019, McClafferty was elected as a Fine Gael Councillor, but he quit the party less than a year later, citing what he branded a “legacy of broken promises”.

Fine Gael are expected be without a seat in the Glenties MD, but a day of counting will see transfers set the fate of those battling for election.

Anthony Molloy, whose vote rose by around 500 from his 2019 performance, polled strong and tallied in third place, followed by Carr and fellow Sinn Féin Councillor John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh, the Gweedore man's first preference dropping from 1,429 to 968 this time around.
In 2019, Fianna Fáil were rocked with the elimination of Seamus O Domhnaill, who had been the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, and Enda Bonner.

Denis McGee, from the 100% Redress Party, polled strong and will be firmly in the shake up when the transfers are distributed. The Magheroarty man could well join party colleagues Ali Farren, Joy Beard and Tomas Sean Devine.

Again, though, the transfer will be the master of what happens to who and how.

As well as party politics and issues, geography will play a role in a Municipal District divided by the Gweebara.

Glenties MD – tally figures
Micheál Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig, Anagaire, Gan Pháirtí; 16.2%, 2,111
Michael McClafferty, Falcarragh, non-party; 14.6%, 1,902
Anthony Molloy, Ardara, Fianna Fáil; 10.7%, 1,400
Brian Carr, Glenties, Sinn Féin; 7.7%, 1,003
John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh, Brinalack PO, Sinn Féin; 7.4%, 968
Denis McGee, Gortahork, 100% Redress; 6.7%, 876
Kellie Rodgers, Kincasslagh, Sinn Féin; 6.1%, 796
Jonathan Stewart, Dungloe, non-party; 6%, 778
Joseph Molloy, Derrybeg, Fine Gael; 5.6%, 736
John Reilly, Burtonport, Fianna Fáil; 5%, 649
Kevin O’Donnell, Glenties, non-party; 4.3%, 568
Michael Harkin, Dunfanaghy, Aontú 3.5%, 462
Anne Marie Rodgers, Dunfanaghy, Fianna Fáil; 2.7%, 349
Jimmy Duffy, Carrickfinn, Kincasslagh, The Labour Party; 2.2%, 290
Anthony Matthew Doohan, Falcarragh, non-party; 0.8%, 102
Ann Sweeney, Dunfanaghy, non-party; .5%, 71