Longford Councillor is 'Ecstatic' following his success in the Seanad Election

Longford Fine Gael county councillor Paraic Brady has said he is ecstatic and humbled to secure election to Seanad Éireann.

The well known farmer and community activist contested the Seanad Éireann General Election 2025 on the Agricultural Panel and he was the ninth of eleven candidates on that particular panel, having reached the quota.

Meanwhile, it has emerged his younger brother Cian is mulling over putting his name forward to party members for consideration to be co-opted onto Longford County Council as his replacement.

Senator Brady, who was first elected to Longford County Council in 2014, finished on 95,871 votes with the quota standing at 95,667.

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"I'm ecstatic, it's a surreal moment, it's hard to believe it has happened and it probably just hasn't sunk in fully yet. “It's a huge achievement, not only for me but for all of the councillors in Longford," he said. "I had the backing of all my fellow councillors in the council so you have to pay tribute to them as well and the staff and management."

Senator Brady said it was very pleasing to get the endorsement of the elected members, the councillors, the TD's and the senators and the support of his nearest and dearest.

"I've a great family, I've had great family support and great friends and the people of north Longford have put their faith in me for 11 years and reelected me for three terms," he added.

Senator Brady also praised his 'huge team of canvassers who supported him in this election and previous elections.

"I know without them this wouldn't have happened and I wouldn't be where I am today,” he said. “I'm humbled to say the least.”

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The Drumlish/ Ballinamuck representative secured a very impressive first count vote of 57,000 on Friday afternoon and by Saturday he was elected.

Senator Brady has vowed to put farmers in the Midlands, the west and the three Ulster counties front and centre when it comes to the Mercosur trade deal and other pressing issues.

The other ten successful candidates on the Agricultural Panel were Malcolm Noonan, Joanne Collins, Victor Boyhan, Paul Daly, Niall Blaney, Teresa Costello, Eileen Lynch, Sarah O’Reilly, Maria Byrne and PJ Murphy.

Senator Brady believes his straight-talking nature was an advantage.

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"Everybody knows that Paraic Brady is very true and says it as it is I suppose," he said. "I've often spoken out when it needs to be said and if you get a reputation for speaking out and speaking your mind and standing up for rural Ireland and the ordinary people and for rural Ireland (that helps)."

There will now be a focus on who will replace Senator Brady, the winner of three Longford senior football championship medals with Fr Manning Gaels, on Longford County Council.

The married father of three stated his younger brother Cian is currently considering putting his name forward.

"I would hope that the members might back him and I'm sure there are other people that will want to put their name on the ballot paper and that is what democracy is about, that people would have a vote and a say," he added.

Senator Brady, who said he was proud of his work as a councillor, will be available to assist his replacement.

"I would hope to maybe even go back to a couple of council meetings in the near future just to make sure they understand Paraic Brady is still here," he said. " I might be elected to Leinster House but I'll still be a friend and colleague of theirs and that's the way it should be."

Also Read: Longford's Paraic Brady vows to be a voice for rural Ireland after he wins Seanad Éireann seat

Meanwhile, there was further disappointment for former Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty who was unsuccessful in his bid to be elected to the Seanad two months after losing his Dáil seat.

Mr Flaherty, who was nominated by Tánaiste Simon Harris in mid-December, had been vying to win one of five seats on the Seanad’s Cultural and Educational Panel.

However, Mr Flaherty was excluded following the 18th count.

Independent Waterford Councillor and Longford native Joe Conway was elected from the Cultural and Educational Panel to Seanad Éireann following the 19th count.