Watch: Michael McClafferty 'overwhelmed' to exceed the quota for early election
Independent Councillor Michael McClafferty gained a massive rise in his first preference vote and retained his seat on the first count in the Glentes LEA
Michael McClafferty described himself as 'blown away' after being elected on the first count in the Glentes local electoral area.
He was elected alongside fellow independent Micheál Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig shortly after 3pm on Sunday.
McClafferty polled 1,885 first preference votes to exceed the quota and confirm the retention of his seat on Donegal County Council.
“I am hugely overwhelmed by the vote,” he told Donegal Live.
“I have been very busy over the last five years and I have tried to serve everybody as best I can.
“We don't always get it right, we don't always get it wrong, we don't always achieve what we set out to, but all we can do is try our best and do our best.
“I don't promise anyone anything, but I do my best. I don't give people any false hope, but it's hope that I will go and see about it.”