SPERRIN summed up - Election 23
Independents wrest two seats from DUP
Sperrin comprises the district electoral areas of North Strabane, West Strabane, Ballycolman, Gleneely Valley, Artigarvan, Donemana and Park and had seven seats up for grabs.
In 2014, Sperrin returned 3 Sinn Féin, 2 DUP, 1 SDLP and 1 Independent candidate.
In 2019, it returned 2 Sinn Féin, 2 DUP, 2 Independent and 1 SDLP candidate.
In 2023, it returned 3 Sinn Féin, 2 Independent, 1 DUP and 1 SDLP candidate.
Paul Boggs, Brian Harte and Fergal Leonard from Sinn Féin were all elected in last week’s local government election.
Also elected were: Jason Barr (SDLP), Raymond Barr (Independent), Allan Bresland (DUP), and Paul Gallagher (Independent).
Mel Boyle (Alliance), Maurice Devenney (DUP), Tommy Forbes (SDLP), Carol Gallagher (People Before Profit), Patsy Kelly (Independent), and Darán Mac Meanman (Aontú) were all eliminated.
The first preference tallies were: Jason Barr (811), Raymond Barr (985), Paul Boggs (1,993), Mel Boyle (381), Allan Bresland (1,194), Maurice Devenney (964), Tommy Forbes (538), Carol Gallagher (226), Paul Gallagher (1,042), Brian Harte (1,125), Patsy Kelly (246), Fergal Leonard (1,650), and Darán Mac Meanman (168).
In 2023, the total number of the Sperrin electorate was 19,143. The turnout was 62.66%. There were 11,995 votes cast. There were 183 invalid votes. There were 11,812 valid votes and the quota was set at 1,477.
The party share of the vote in Sperrin was: Alliance 3%, Aontú 1%, DUP 18%, Independent 19%, People Before Profit 2%, SDLP 11%, Sinn Féin 40%, and UUP 4%.