Yore the star as McCormack and Gallagher bow out

Two outgoing Kells area councillors lost their seats in a closely-fought contest that saw two recounts in the battle for the five seats. Outgoing cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Liz McCormack, lost her seat, despite Fianna Fail"s phenomenal 42 per cent of the vote. Sinn Fein"s Michael Gallagher was the second casualty when he, too, lost out on the final count. There are two new faces on the Kells Area Council, with Fine Gael"s Catherine Yore topping the poll, while Fianna Fail"s Oliver Fox was elected without reaching the quota on the final count. Outgoing councillors Eugene Cassidy and John Farrelly of Fine Gael, as well as Bryan Reilly of Fianna Fail, were also re-elected. Fianna Fail completely overturned the national trend in the Kells area, improving the party"s vote, despite substantial losses throughout the country. Fine Gael polled 38 per cent of first preferences with Sinn Fein at 10.7 per cent and Labour at nine per cent. Following the announcement of the first count, Fianna Fail"s Dominic Moran was to be the first to be eliminated, with Labour"s Brian Collins just 14 votes ahead. Fianna Fail called for a recount, which resulted in just four votes between the two. Returning officer, Bill Sweeney, announced yet another recount, which again resulted in Brian Collins being four votes ahead. A disappointed Liz McCormack said she was pleased to have largely held onto her vote - she polled 1,400 first preferences, just short of the 1,416 she polled in 2004. 'The loss of a seat in the area coupled with four Fianna Fail candidates for a five-seater constituency made it more difficult to get a quota,' she said. Cllr McCormack, who served 10 years on the council, had initially indicated she wouldn"t be contesting the election, but was persuaded by the party to reconsider. 'I enjoyed my time on the council, representing the people of Athboy and surrounding villages and was honoured to be elected first woman cathaoirleach,' she said. She said it was too early to say if she would be back in the contest in five years" time. A disappointed Michael Gallagher said that losing part of the Gibbstown area, where he had strong support, had influenced the outcome, as well as the big swing towards Fine Gael and Labour. 'I appreciate all those who came out to vote for me. I had a high first preference vote and, hopefully, will be back in five years to try again,' he said. Fine Gael"s Catherine Yore said she was 'absolutely ecstatic' at her win and was surprised, as a first-time candidate, to have topped the poll. 'I am looking forward to representing the people of north Meath, who badly need a voice,' said the primary school teacher who becomes the first public representative from Carnaross to sit on Meath County Council. She thanked everyone who had supported her over the last four months, saying she had a great backroom team behind her. Newly-elected Oliver Fox for Fianna Fail said he was delighted with his win in such tough times for the party and pointed out that there was a great tradition of a seat for Fianna Fail in Oldcastle. He was saddened to see his running mate, Liz McCormack, lose her seat after serving the public for so long with great dignity. 'I am particularly proud that the Kells electoral delivered 40 per cent of the vote to Fianna Fail and it shows how resilient the party"s vote is in north Meath,' he said. Cllr Bryan Reilly (Fianna Fail) dedicated his win to his late brother, John, and brother-in-law, David Kennedy, who died just a month ago. 'I am deeply humbled by the huge vote which I received from the good people of Kells and greater Kells electoral area and I wish to sincerely thank them for their support and for the trust they have placed in me,' he said. Fine Gael"s Cllr Eugene Cassidy said that taking an extra seat in Kells had been a fantastic achievement, especially as there was one less seat to fill. He was looking forward to working with his new colleagues on the council. Cllr John Farrelly said it was an incredible victory for Fine Gael to take three seats and the result was an indication of the dissatisfaction in the Kells area with the present Government. Labour"s Brian Collins expressed disappointment at his vote. He believed that the young vote and the 'vote for change" had gone to Catherine Yore and this had 'stolen his thunder." He remarked on the fact that Fianna Fail had increased its vote, adding that it was difficult to compete in that environment. He said he was disappointed that two right-wing parties would be representing the people of north Meath and said he was determined to come back and win a seat for Labour in five years" time.