Fine Gael lost a seat on Limerick City and County Council but has retained its position as the largest party on the local authority.

Thirteen of the 40 seats went to Fine Gael candidates, with Fianna Fáil winning 10, a decrease of two on 2019′s total. The Social Democrats gained a seat via Shane Hickey O’Mara in Limerick City North and he will join party colleague Elisa O’Donovan (Limerick City West) in the council chamber.

Aontú made a breakthrough in the county with Sarah Beasley taking a seat in Limerick City North.

Labour finished with three councillors (no change) while Sinn Féin gained one to finish with three. The Green Party lost a seat, leaving Seán Hartigan in Limerick City East as its lone councillor here.

Two simple truths have been forgotten in the rush to write Sinn Féin off

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Women still underrepresented on councils amid online abuse and lack of support

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Sinn Féin to ‘dust ourselves off’ after it failed to reach electoral ambitions

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The ebbing of the green wave is not unique to Ireland

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In Newcastle West, all six sitting councillors were returned despite facing a challenge from six newcomers. Fine Gael’s Liam Galvin and Fianna Fáil’s Michael Collins were elected on the first count behind poll topper Jerome Scanlan (Ind). Fine Gael’s Tom Ruddle and John Sheahan were elected on the eight count along with Fianna Fáil’s Francis Foley.

In Adare-Rathkeale, four sitting councillors retained their seats and two new faces were added to the mix. Fine Gael’s Stephen Keary and Adam Teskey were returned on the first count with Fianna Fáil’s Bridie Collins and Ger Ward coming in on the sixth and seven counts respectively. However, the big news here was the election of two Independent Ireland candidates – John O’Donoghue (a brother of local TD Richard) and Tommy Hartigan.

Sinn Féin’s Ursula Gavan took a seat on the 11th count in Limerick City East, with transfers from her unsuccessful party colleagues Danielle O’Shea and Mike Kileen a factor after she polled less than a third of the quota on first preferences. Fianna Fáil’s Catherine Slattery topped the poll here and was elected on the first count, with her colleague Joe Pond following on the second. Fine Gael’s Peter Doyle was also elected on the first count, with his colleague Sarah Kiely coming in on the eighth.

Abul Kalam Azad Talukder, who became Limerick’s first Muslim councillor in 2019, retained his seat in Limerick City West on the 12th count. Fine Gael’s Limerick mayor candidate Daniel Butler topped the poll in this area and was elected with a surplus on the first count, as was his party colleague Dan McSweeney. Labour’s Joe Leddin, Fianna Fáil Fergus Kilcoyne and Independent Maria Donoghue also took seats.

Adare – Rathkeale: 6 seats

Cappamore – Kilmallock: 7 seats

Limerick City East: 7 seats

Limerick City North: 7 seats

Limerick City West: 7 seats

Newcastle West: 6 seats

[ View 2019 Limerick City & County Council results ]

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