Mayo electorate gives strong endorsement to Michael D. Higgins

 

THE electorate of Mayo has come out strongly in favour of Michael D. Higgins serving a second term as president of Ireland.

He is on course to receive around 55 per cent of the vote in the constituency.

A declaration of the result from the Castlebar Court Centre in the TF Royal Hotel is not expected until close to 5 p.m.

But, like elsewhere throughout the country, Independent candidate Peter Casey proved a major surprise due to his controversial pre-election comments about aspects of Irish society.

In fact, he was the top vote-getter at polling stations in Derrywash (Castlebar), Meelick (Swinford) and Robeen while, in Parke, Higgins had only four votes to spare over him (49 to 45).

In Ballindine, the home of Sabina Higgins, one member of the electorate spoiled their vote by writing: 'No. 1, Donald Trump.”

Other spoiled votes in the constituency protested that the election was a waste of money and that the money should have been spent instead on the health service while another stated: “Abortion is not a legal solution.'

Among the elected representatives in attendance at the county centre are Deputy Lisa Chambers (FF), Senator Rose Conway-Walsh (SF), Councillor Henry Kenny (FG), Councillor Martin McLoughlin (FF) and Councillor Joe McHale (SF).