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GABRIELLE McFADDEN has comfortably topped the poll in the Longford-Westmeath by-election.
McFadden received 12,365 first preference votes, just over a quarter of the total votes cast. It puts her at precisely half the quota needed to get elected. She was finally announced as the constituency’s newest TD – for Fine Gael – after midnight this morning.
McFadden is the sister of Nicky McFadden whose death led to the by-election.
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In second place behind McFadden was Aengus O’Rourke who received 8,910 first preference votes. Sinn Féin’s Paul Hogan polled in third with 7,548 votes.
O'Rourke admits by-election seat is McFadden's to lose, though says he is delighted with his vote for first shot at Dail seat #lw14
Two independents John McNamara and Donal Jackson were eliminated first with their transfers distributed among the rest of the candidates. Labour’s Denis Leonard has also now been eliminated and his 3,352 votes are now being distribution for the third count.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny arrived at the count centre in Keenagh, Co Longford yesterday evening in anticipation of McFadden’s election.
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Can you all seriously stop thinking about the parents for one moment and think of the six kids.
Who cares if the parents messed up dramatically time and time again. SERIOUSLY LIKE!
THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE PARENTS AND THEIR PROBLEMS!!!
This is about six kids and that is it.
If you don’t get that then I really don’t know that to say.
I can close my eyes and smile when I think of the wonderful Christmas’s I have had thanks to my mum and dad. Most of us can.
IS IT TO MUCH TO ASK that for one the lot of you shut up about your politics etc and think of six kids and how magical we can make their Christmas #itsnotaboutme
Well said Bia Maith, and fair play to you. The world needs more compassionate people like you. It is about the children, it’s Christmas for God’s sake!
You will be helping to give these children some happy Christmas memories and that’s a wonderful gift. I’m so sorry about your Mother by the way, she obviously did a great job bringing you up! Wishing you a very happy Christmas and all the best for 2015.
Sorry but 910 euro a month alone for 7 kids from child benefit , on top of the social that her and her partner are receiving per week ( assuming the are not working ) , they would also be entitled to rent allowance too , am I missing something here ??
@jiminy, Vincent and others. I’ve a great idea. Why doesn’t the state just take the children of those who have fallen on hard times into care?There must be loads of industrial schools lying empty. Hardly surprising we have such an appalling history when it comes to women and children when attitudes have barely changed.
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