Former Rose of Tralee, Maria Walsh likely to succeed in Euro marathon

Tom Shiel

A SUSPENSE laden ‘cliffhanger’ looms in the battle for European seats in Midlands-North-West.

Certain of re-election is sitting MEP Mairead McGuinness (FG) who will top the poll.

A lot will depend on hinge on Ms McGuinnness’s surplus as to who takes further seats in the vast constituency.

Two Mayo based candidates, Maria Walsh (FG) and Achill native Saoirse McHugh (Green Party) are showing well in early, if scanty, tallies.

 Maria, the former Rose of Tralee, who should benefit from a significant McGuinness surplus, should is the most likely of the Mayo pair to get elected.

 If she does, she will be the first Mayo MEP to get elected since FG’s Jim Higgins who lost his seat in 2014.

 Saoirse McHugh, analysts reckon, is in with a strong chance of what would have been a surprise a week ago by taking a seat.

 “Saoirse may be fighting for the last seat”, Marian Harkin, who narrowly won a seat for Fine Gael in 2014 reckoned late on Sunday Castlebar.

Saoirse McHugh

 Some experts are speculating that Ms McHugh will beat fellow Independent Peter Casey in the joust for the final seat.

 “Peter Casey will be in with a chance but I don’t think he will be elected”, Ms. Harkin speculated.

 “His transfers will be crucial in determining the final result.”

Sinn Fein’s Matt Carthy, a sitting MEP, is reckoned to be strongly in the running.

 With his party candidates – Brendan Smith and Ann Rabbitte – showing signs from early tally figures of polling poorly, Fianna Fail deputy leader Dara Calleary admitted that the FF showing in Midlands-North-West was ‘disappointing’.

 “We will have to look at the constituency in a radically different way”, the Mayo TD mused.

 Mr. Calleary praised Saoirse McHugh for what he described as “a phenomenal performance’.

Michael Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development, told the Connaught Telegraph he was very pleased with the election results on all fronts.

 As counting got underway he commented: “It looks like Mairead and Maria (FG candidates) will be elected.

 “That’s a great result for Fine Gael. I am very happy.”

It will be at least Tuesday, and possibly Wednesday, before the final seats in Midlands-North-West are decided.