Local elections: 'Overwhelmed' Jack Murray on course to top poll

Jack Murray is on course to top the poll in the Buncrana electoral area and to increase his vote by over 600.

Final tally figures have Sinn Féin Councillor Murray in pole position to reach the quota when the counts get underway at Carndonagh Community School on Sunday.

Murray was first elected as a councillor in a then-nine-seater Inishowen area in 2014.

Five years ago, the Buncrana man retained his seat when taking 1,414 first preferences.

When the ballot boxes were emptied at the Aura Leisure Centre on Saturday, tallies have Murray over 2,000 first preferences.

“I'm actually overwhelmed to be honest with the endorsement,” Councillor Murray told Donegal Live.

“It's looking absolutely fantastic. I'm very proud of the community in south Inishowen. I can't be grateful enough of people who came out and put a number beside my name in any form. I am immensely grateful.

“I take great heart. A footballer is only as good as the last game and a politician is only as good as the next. I have to go out now and work extra hard for the people of my area who are putting their trust in me.”

Sinn Féin ran three candidates in the Buncrana area – and Murray hopes his transfers can aid the respective bids of sitting councillor Terry Crossan and Niamh McGuinness.

He said: “Terry is in a very strong position and Niamh McGuinness has put in an outstanding campaign, for a 20-year-old in her first time out, which is very, very encouraging. Hopefully the transfers will work out.”

Joy Beard, a candidate for the newly-formed 100% Redress Party, also looks set to reach the quota and take a seat.

Murray said: “The vote for the 100% Redress party is clearly a resounding message that the scheme doesn't work.

“People have voiced that through both the Sinn Féin vote and the 100% Redress vote. I am confident that Sinn Féin can drive this forward and a Sinn Féin government can deliver 100% redress.

“People need to be listened to because they have been failed by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. The people are speaking for an issue like this.”