#GE2020 Meath East: Sinn Fein cause a storm to eclipse Ciara
Elected: Darren O'Rourke (SF), Helen McEntee (FG) & Thomas Byrne (FF)
Storm Ciara howled and raged outside the sprawling Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA Centre but the whirlwind was being reaped inside as Darren O’Rourke breezed in to the 33rd Dáil along with his party colleague and friend Johnny Guirke in Meath West.
Blown away was Regina Doherty, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection who only managed 4,272 votes, she didn’t brave the elements to travel to Ashbourne to learn her fate.
On a day of days for Sinn Fein, O’Rourke with wife Maria and young son, Art, by his side with a small army of jubilant supporters, this was something to savour.
“I just want to thank the people of Meath East for voting for me, there was a palpable sense of people wanting change and we want to deliver that change.”
The Count Centre in Ashbourne fell quiet after Darren O'Rourke's victory celebrations
Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill was on hand to see Meath’s newest TDs celebrate.
The Sinn Fein leader was in Trim to congratulate Johnny Guirke before dashing to Meath East and Ashbourne to congratulate Darren O’Rourke.
She said the electorate had sent a very clear message with the result of the election and that the party now had to honour its promises to the electorate.
“We have said very clearly that we have solutions to the crisis that has been brought about by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, so our job is to get into government to actually affect change, and you don't stand for election to be in opposition, you stand for election to be in in government so that's our first job.
Darren O'Rourke with Michelle O'Neill, NI Deputy First Minister, and his wife Maria (centre)
“We need to try and negotiate a programme for government that reflects all the things that we said that we need to deliver.”
For Thomas Byrne, waiting to secure that third seat after Helen McEntee, his face said it all. The 2016 poll topper was left to contemplate what went awry for Fianna Fáil in the last three weeks.
“It's obviously a disappointing day for Fianna Fail, our vote is not where we thought it would be, not where I genuinely thought it would be based on the canvassing that we were doing, but clearly there's a wave to Sinn Fein and I congratulate the candidate, Darren O'Rourke for his performance, it was extraordinary.”
Waiting game...Thomas Byrne
“I think people weren't able to distinguish between ourselves and Fine Gael, I think that was a big problem. I think we probably weren't radical enough in our housing policies, you know, and there were certainly things that we could do. And by the way, I think when you drill down into the Sinn Fein policies, I don't think they have the answer either but I think there were other things that could be done but we'll have to wait and see whenever a government is formed.”
Equally, Helen McEntee was experiencing a night of mixed fortunes, losing her party and constituency colleague in Regina Doherty and facing into the uncertain question of how the next Government will be formed.
“It’s a very nervewracking day and few weeks for anyone who puts themselves forward.
Proud..Green Party's Sean McCabe
“We would have liked to have done better overall throughout the country, our percentage went up slightly from the last poll but at the same with all of the three main parties on 22% it’s very hard to see where we go from here and what kind of government can be formed.”
Independent Sharon Keogan who enjoyed considerable success at last year’s local elections, creating history by winning two seats (Ashbourne and Laytown/Bettystown) wasn’t in the reckoning this time around but predicted that another election may not be far off given the results today. She said if that was to come to pass, she’ll be out front again seeking election.
Green candidate Sean McCabe enjoyed transfers that saw him leap frog Regina Doherty into the Sixth Count. The 35-year-old scientist said he was disappointed that the issue of climate crisis hadn’t resonated more loudly on the campaign trail but was incredibly proud of the efforts of his campaign team.
“It's been wonderful. I said to the team last night and it's true, it doesn't matter what happens here it’s what we've done in the last three weeks, I'm very, very proud of. I was totting up the numbers in my head, we've had over 130 people directly involved in this campaign from grandparents and people still in college and so that to me is success.”
Joe Bonner polled extremely well and managed over 3,000 votes. For him, it wasn’t a question of Brexit or the economy his electorate were concerned with, but rather the lack of work/life balance and the sheer shortage of services and facilities in the constituency. He said he hoped the new Government would better listen to the people electing them.
Also eliminated in Meath East was Annie Hoey (Lab), Emer Toibin, (Aontú) Andre Keegan (S-PBP), Seamus McDonagh (Workers Party) and Deirdre Geragthy Smith (FF).