GE2024: White looking forward to 'getting stuck in' and back into the community work as a councillor after solid campaign

Sinn Fein Cllr Maria White says she is looking forward to getting back and stuck in to her council work after an unsuccessful general election bid.

White was eliminated on the ninth count with 3657 votes. These votes went on to get her running mate Darren O'Rourke over the line to be elected on the tenth count.

White secured 2894 first preference votes. Speaking after her elimination, she said:

"I feel very proud and very honoured to have been given the opportunity to run, I got a huge mandate from the people of Laytown/Bettystown and throughout the county so I'm just delighted."

"I was elected to the council five months ago so to have gotten the vote that I got is an endorsement of people knowing how hardworking I am and I'm just looking forward to getting stuck in, getting back into the community," added the Sinn Fein councillor.

"The campaign is very tiring but I really enjoyed it, I loved the engagement on the doors so I'm raring to get back into the community and back to work."

The primary school principal says helping to get her party colleague re elected was the silver lining,

"I'm just so delighted that my exclusion is going to mean that Darren is re elected and hopefully with a big surplus because he deserves it," said White.

"He is one of the hardest working people I know.

"He is a real inspiration to me, a great source of encouragement and support and of course this time he is going to my local TD so I

m really delighted with that for my community that we are going to have an excellent hard working TD representing us. "

Meanwhile Fianna Fail Cllr Caroline O'Reilly was eliminated after the 11th count with 3996 votes. O'Reilly received 3223 first preference votes.

"I'm actually really proud of that number for somebody who only came into this business back in December and still finding my feet going for local election and then straight into a general election," said O'Reilly.

"I think we did very well and I'm very proud of the team that supported me," she added.

"It was very much a home grown effort and had great support from HQ and would like to thank them too. "

Aontu's Emer Tobin requested a recount after her and Cllr Sharon Tolan's totals were separated by just 16 votes. A recount was denied by the returning officer but a partial re check was carried out after which Tobin was eliminated.

Speaking earlier in the day she praised brother Peadar Tobin who was re elected on Saturday in Meath West.

"He pulled very strongly and he very well got over in Meath West and everyone recognises that he does incredible work on the ground and has done for years. People recognise that he has a great vision for our county and our country, I'm very proud of him as we all are. "