Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Fine Gael loses two seats in Castlebar as elected independent says people there 'go to bed hungry'

Michael Kilcoyne was elected on the first count, almost doubling the quota. A recount has been called and will take place tomorrow afternoon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1HPjZIlv6E

Source: Órla Ryan/TheJournal.ie

Updated: 1.15 am

INDEPENDENT COUNCILLOR MICHAEL Kilcoyne has denounced Taoiseach Enda Kenny, saying that it is “a sad reflection” on the Taoiseach that people in his constituency of Castlebar go to bed hungry.

He said the shift towards non-government candidates is a “vote for change”.

Kilcoyne was elected on the first count with 2,919 votes, well above the quota of 1,711 votes. He was the first councillor in Ireland to be elected today, something he described as “a great honour”.

Two Fine Gael councillors, Eugene Lavin and Eugene McCormack, have lost their seats in the area.

“People are suffering terrible hardships at the moment. I’ve been an independent councillor for the last ten years. I hold a clinic every Saturday. I’d see 25 – 30 people telling me what it’s like and how the austerity that has been imposed by this government affects them, from the loss of medical cards to being chased by social welfare inspectors.”

People were told three years ago in this same building that things would be different. People had a dream and it was shattered by Fine Gael and Labour. People have taken charge today, they have voted for change. This is only the beginning.

After the sixth count, Lisa Chambers of Fianna Fáil and Therese Ruane of Sinn Féin were elected to the Castlebar ward, leaving six candidates and five seats to fill.

Shortly after 11 pm, the five remaining seats were filled, without any of the candidates reaching the quota. Cyril Burke (Fine Gael) received 1647 votes, Frank Durcan (Independent) 1665 votes, Blackie Gavin (Fianna Fáil) 1539, Henry Kenny (Fine Gael) 1678, and Al McDonnell (Fianna Fáil) 1681.

The first count for Ballina was delayed for several hours due to “discrepancies” and a recount will take place tomorrow at the request of independent candidate Enda Lavelle. No one was elected.

The Claremorris count is currently underway. The West Mayo count has been deferred until 10am tomorrow.

Originally published: 22.48

Keep up to date: LIVEBLOG: Local election results 2014

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
72 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Ryan
    Favourite Martin Ryan
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 10:54 PM

    Kenny’s hometown turning on him says it all.

    770
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enda
    Favourite Enda
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:03 PM

    Caused in part by p Flynn !!! Short memories in politics .

    249
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aireach
    Favourite Aireach
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:04 PM

    Hey Enda, that’s what a “Seismic shift” looks like.

    Just giving him a dose of his own medicine. He and his government turned against the Irish people as soon as they took office. More concerned with keeping their pals in the “European peoples party” sweet.

    This government promised political reform and to fight for the Irish people. They have failed miserably on both counts.

    Grow a pair Enda.

    456
    See 16 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Mustard
    Favourite Pat Mustard
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:36 PM

    Kenny just refused to do an interview with newstalk because “some of the some you did before was not to my liking”, his words. This is the pathetic excuse of a man we have as our Taoiseach!

    349
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Mustard
    Favourite Pat Mustard
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:37 PM

    Meant to be stuff instead of the second come.

    106
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Rock
    Favourite Les Rock
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:08 AM

    Understood it Pat. The man is an absolute embarrassment. A slievén of the hoghest order. Uses pathetic excuse after excuse to get out of interviews..pathetic. To become the worse taoiseach in our countries history after what Cowen and Bertie did…eell that takes some doing

    236
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Mahoney
    Favourite Sean Mahoney
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:19 AM

    So a few layabouts turned coat. Big Deal!!!!

    Enda is still loved everywhere he goes across this land. Because smart people know that we are going to have to upset a few of our, how can I put this? lower class people. So as the upper middle class can get this country going again.

    If they went out and got a job, the water charges wouldn’t be an issue. Come on like who cant afford €20 a week???

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Premium Gamerz
    Favourite Premium Gamerz
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:27 AM

    Sean stop talking utter rubbish.
    Enda his party are a disgrace to the country.
    He is an absolute joke of a “man” with very little intelligence.

    224
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Rock
    Favourite Les Rock
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:39 AM

    Didn’t bother reading the reply sean. Your a troll and I really don’t care

    135
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Moon
    Favourite Willy Moon
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:53 AM

    Let I 2nd that, well said

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Barber
    Favourite James Barber
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:59 AM

    Mahoney your a sad pathetic case of a man. Call yourself Irish and I’ll beat you with stick before my grandmother does.

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Mahoney
    Favourite Sean Mahoney
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 1:16 AM

    I am Irish, Just not like you, Thank God…

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute fionn mac cumhaill
    Favourite fionn mac cumhaill
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 1:43 AM

    Sean, €20 a week water charges is €1040 a year. If you’re going to post a comment on this site at least make sure that it’s somewhat sensible or plausible instead of the utter shite a troll would post

    134
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cowenwatch
    Favourite Cowenwatch
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 2:48 AM

    I am not looking forward to the centenary of the 1916 rising.Having the likes of Enda and co. pontificating to the country about the lives given and sacrifices made for our independence. Sean, your a disgrace! I’m not religious but may God help us.

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne Kerins
    Favourite Anne Kerins
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 7:59 AM

    Smug little man

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 11:17 AM

    Nice one Enda, hows the 5 point plan going?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 11:21 AM

    Sean you made me laugh. Your European Man of theYear is HATED by the Normal Irsh person

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 11:24 AM

    Ye Sean you are different…….in a different reality than the rest of us you troll

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute aoife molloy
    Favourite aoife molloy
    Report
    Jun 18th 2014, 7:32 PM

    Kenny is a sliabhian alright

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Brady
    Favourite Frank Brady
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:01 PM

    Not only in Castlebar are people going to bed hungry it’s every where in Ireland, this government are driving young people out of the country and driving people to dispair and for what? for Angela Merkel and the EU masters

    369
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Rock
    Favourite Les Rock
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:16 PM

    Excellent comment francis

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gerbreen
    Favourite gerbreen
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:18 PM

    So what’s the answer Frank? 50 euros off the pension and dole or fire 50k public servants and cap pensions.

    55
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Billy Bremner
    Favourite Billy Bremner
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:33 PM

    @gerbreen, no ger, but the irish people should’nt be forced by the ecb to pay 65 billion euro of foreign bank debt to german and french banks. This debt was unsecured loans given by foreign financial institutions to irish banks, if we didn’t have this debt to repay things would not be as bad as they are.

    180
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jeremy Usborne
    Favourite Jeremy Usborne
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:07 AM

    That debt was enshrined as national debt before 2011 by the previous administration.

    The question still stands, what is the alternative?

    Much heat, but little light.

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reg
    Favourite Reg
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:16 AM

    And what if there was no bank debt Billy. What about the other 130 odd billion that we owe? What about the fact that we are still spending more than we take in from all taxes? What’s your answer, borrow more money to increase social welfare and reduce taxes/charges?

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin Dawson
    Favourite Justin Dawson
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:19 AM

    Hungry.They are not thirsty.Take a look in your local tonight.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Johnston
    Favourite Mike Johnston
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:01 PM

    Kenny you’re on the way out!

    235
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B9xiRspG
    Favourite B9xiRspG
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:30 PM

    And who will take over? Don’t get me wrong I’m anti FG, FF, labour and greens. But who can we trust?

    100
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Moon
    Favourite Willy Moon
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:40 PM

    Jim, SF should be given the chance now in my opinion, I bet we would not be paying back the bondholders and the banks would not be able to throw anyone out of there home, and the EU would have picked up the bill with fear of the Euro going down, and the rest of the other EU countries in trouble would have followed the same road,

    157
    See 17 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gerbreen
    Favourite gerbreen
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:54 PM

    Open another can Mike

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B9xiRspG
    Favourite B9xiRspG
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:57 PM

    Are you sure about that? my concern about SF is that none of their proposed budgets over the last ten years balanced. They are also overly aggressive is that a bad thing I don’t know at this stage

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Moon
    Favourite Willy Moon
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:02 AM

    Jim, I don’t think any budget balanced with FG & L either, all there short falls in their budgets have been filled by taxing the he’ll out of the poor and middle class people of Ireland,

    83
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jeremy Usborne
    Favourite Jeremy Usborne
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:09 AM

    Primary deficit will be eliminated this year.

    Sinn Fein stated they had no intention of balancing the budget had they been in power

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B9xiRspG
    Favourite B9xiRspG
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:13 AM

    I’m not disagreeing, our biggest issue is that we’re a welfare state and no matter how much we want to help people there is a limit.

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B9xiRspG
    Favourite B9xiRspG
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:13 AM

    Is that a good or bad statement?

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Moon
    Favourite Willy Moon
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:21 AM

    Jim, I agree to some extent, in my opinion there is always options and let’s see what the SF party can do, if they are not given a chance in government we will never really know, it’s always the same argument when it comes to SF, I think if they are given the chance then people can really compair SF to FG, FF, & L

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute no good names
    Favourite no good names
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:35 AM

    Lads I can’t find Eamon anywhere?

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Moon
    Favourite Willy Moon
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:40 AM

    Thank god, lets hope Gilmore is lost forever:)

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Rock
    Favourite Les Rock
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:41 AM

    Jim. Who said their budgets never balanced? The fg ff labour loving mefia?

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Moon
    Favourite Willy Moon
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:51 AM

    Let, Very good point, all as FG, FF, & L keep doing is putting down everything from SF, did we not hear tonight Leo state on TV that FG may now have to look at what SF suggested in their budget, that says to me that when they received SF submission they never even looked at it,

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Madden
    Favourite Brian Madden
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:55 AM

    I have noticed today that so many sinn fein candidates are very young and I think that is certainly a positive, also look at the gender makeup of the candidates, appears much more balanced that some of the other parties. It also seems to be all new names coming through their ranks and not like the O’Rourkes, Cowens, Haugheys etc that you have in other parties.

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Moon
    Favourite Willy Moon
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 1:04 AM

    Brian, yes yo u are correct, there is now a good mix in SF, new blood is great backed by the core team of SF, have to say watch this space, we need change and in my opinion SF are moving fast in that direction,

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute fionn mac cumhaill
    Favourite fionn mac cumhaill
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 1:48 AM

    SF in Northern Ireland actually support austerity. Research them. Do we want them in power or sharing power here?

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jill Jones
    Favourite Jill Jones
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 9:48 AM

    Going by the results, yes, people do seem to want a change don’t you think?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B9xiRspG
    Favourite B9xiRspG
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 10:01 AM

    Jill people vote for FF again, the f$##@rs that got us into this mess. Will they ever learn

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 11:29 AM

    Willy as Soon as Adams retires as leader just watch their popularity soar

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Moon
    Favourite Willy Moon
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:15 PM

    Hey Kenny good enough for ya, I hope that poor man that you told to get a job is able to return you the she comment in the next election you smug back bitein lying dictator

    167
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lt General Joe
    Favourite Lt General Joe
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:12 AM
    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David
    Favourite David
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:20 PM

    Fionnula doesn’t go to bed hungry.

    80
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thosj Carroll
    Favourite Thosj Carroll
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:16 AM

    I was in Castlebar the other day & I noticed many shops were closed down. Perhaps voters took revenge on FG.

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot O'Reilly
    Favourite Dermot O'Reilly
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:17 PM

    Enda Kenny is Leader of Fine Gael which was a Political Party founded on Christian Principles!

    Today Fine Gael is a Liberal Political Party who supports abortion and is trying to destroy “faith churches” in Ireland!

    Minister Quinn wants to abolish Christian Religious classes in all Irish Schools!

    These crazy policies are clearly supported by Fine Gael in Government!

    The Labour Party wants to destroy all Christian Schools in Ireland!

    The austerity programme is destroying Irish Families?

    How can this Government support the Fianna Fáil policies of transferring the “unsecured Bondholders” and debts of gamblers, developers, builders and corrupt Bankers/ Politicians on to the shoulders of “innocent” Irish Taxpayers who now have a burden of €100,000 on every man women and child in Ireland!

    Ireland is now responsible to pay 42per cent of the Bank Crisis debt of Europe. We were forced to guarantee and pay all German Banks who foolishly lent unsecured loans to Irish banks!

    But sadly, our Government was forced by Merkel to repay the unsecured German and French Bondholders!

    Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil TDs hang your heads in shame!

    Enda is a Catholic but Not a Catholic Taoiseach!

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tommy C
    Favourite Tommy C
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:49 PM

    Give the religious nonsense a rest

    160
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Rock
    Favourite Les Rock
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:10 AM

    +1 Tom

    68
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Madden
    Favourite Brian Madden
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 1:04 AM

    @Dermot, the sooner there is a separation of church and state the better.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Wizzy
    Favourite Keith Wizzy
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 2:09 AM

    Poor Dermo. Another sky cloud fairy believing nut job.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute phunkyboy
    Favourite phunkyboy
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 8:34 AM

    Dermot that is a EU agenda they are trying to wipe out all traces of culture and religion so that in 2 generations people won’t know anything but the EU fascist state.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 11:35 AM

    Religion has been a huge brake on people here for generations,give it a rest pal

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enda Smith
    Favourite Enda Smith
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 7:28 AM

    Elected to represent the Irish people, and failed miseraby. Turned out that all you wanted to be,was puppets for EU bullies. Taxing and charging people into poverty and debt is not governing but a cynical exercise to appease bondholders. They have now had 5 yrs of repayments on a gamble that they lost and we are still paying. Time to tell them, you’re not getting another cent. Sort out public finances and public service (not front line but middle and upper management and all over paid public servants(county managers being paid more than elected leaders of countries) sort out water leaks before you charge us for your incompetence. That’s why your getting roasted, roll on the general election and see what the public really think of your decisions.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francis Dooley
    Favourite Francis Dooley
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:13 AM

    Why are we allowing this nonsense to continue .time to start slapping a few faces.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Hunter
    Favourite Joe Hunter
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 1:36 AM

    Today has been joyous watching fg/lab take a battering off to bed now with the hope tomorrow will bring more news of more doom for these vermon!

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vinny Doherty
    Favourite Vinny Doherty
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 1:37 AM

    I think it’s pretty simple really. He’s head of the country and he has overseen no investment in the western region in particular his own area. Here lies the problem. Whatever they say about P Flynn, for better or worse he never forgot about the people who got him elected. Kenny has a lot of making up to do. Even in our own area, only for local people standing up and fighting to hold into Knock airport, he would have overseen the demise of that also. He needs a good kick in the arse to ground him again and it looks at though the people have spoken.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Newman
    Favourite Andrew Newman
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 12:28 AM

    This was an interesting article in the Irish TImes last week about the feelings in Castlebar.

    http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/taoiseach-facing-rumbles-of-discontent-on-the-home-front-1.1795956

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Scott
    Favourite Alan Scott
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 8:02 AM

    Enda can put what ever spin he chooses .This is the only way the Government are going to take notice I am delighted they are where they are roll on the general election Im sure a lot of the hurt people are smiling this AM.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Àine Moran
    Favourite Àine Moran
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 9:35 AM

    Well done Michael Kilcoyne you got my number 1 in my house we were hit by immigration so so sad and she had nothing to do with the downfall of this country but still the bankers builders and our politions(that is the lot in government at the moment) do nothing apart from taking there big fat salaries I would love to see them living on a minimum wage job Enda has got a rude awakening from his own county born with a silver spoon does not know what it is like going without to pay bills

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gerbreen
    Favourite gerbreen
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 10:59 PM

    The brother survived I take it.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Farrell
    Favourite Ciaran Farrell
    Report
    May 24th 2014, 11:53 PM

    Just about. Didn’t reach the quota but none of the last 5 elected managed to. McCormack(fg) threw rattle out of the pram and demanded a recount when eliminated
    but it’s highly unlikely to help him..

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute phunkyboy
    Favourite phunkyboy
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 8:38 AM

    Labour can’t even admit when they are defeated. They called the swing in favour of other parties the ” protest vote” believe you me I never wanted to vote lab or fg or sinn fein ever in my life but I had no choice because only an idiot would keep voting for politicians who policies aren’t working full stop.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Halvey
    Favourite Robert Halvey
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 2:17 AM

    on yoder hill . a flinn a so called haughy mate .turned a blind eye so both of them could . fill there pockets, in the name of greed, why CAB never sat eyes on them .well that’s political . when are we going to realize . it should be about what we can do. not who we know. long live the republic

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hilary McDuffy
    Favourite Hilary McDuffy
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 2:32 AM

    Night night Enda

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal Keane
    Favourite Cathal Keane
    Report
    May 25th 2014, 11:21 AM

    “Go to bed hungry” C’mon that’s a bit of an exaggeration

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds