This article is from page 53 of the 2009-06-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 53 JPG
DIGNIFIED and generous in defeat but obviously gutted, Fianna Fail’s Tony O’Brien could not believe that his years of hard work had not borne fruit.
“I worked hard for the last five years and I thought it would stand to me but it didn’t.
‘I had hoped that my personal ef- forts would have overcome any anti -party swing but they didn’t. I had a great team and we did a great can- vass but the electorate have decided and there’s nothing to do about it.”
Speaking at the count on Sunday, he said he knew from the tally that the game was up but that didn’t make it any easier, although his local vote was something to take comfort in. “T’m very proud that my vote in my own area, Killaoe, O’Brien’s Bridge – all around there – that held up.” he said.
John ‘Mashen’ McInerney, who also lost out in the vote, adopted a more stoic view, having accepted from the day before that he was well out of the race.
“Begley is a good man but he took a good few of my votes. I’m delight- ed for Burke and Joe Cooney – Joe particularly got a tremendous vote. I congratulate them all.”
Like other candidates, McInerney and O’Brien were warm in their praise for the teams of people who supported them and canvassed over what is now a huge electoral area.
Cllr Cathal Crowe escaped the bloodshed after a tense night and day when the last seat was far from certain.
He has said publicly that he believes there was a smear campaign.
“Other candidates had to contend with the other names on the ballot pa- per but I had to contend with outside influences. I’m upset for my party colleagues and friends who have lost their seats. Even though you’re very aware it can happen, it’s always per- sonally very difficult when it does.”
Pat Hayes, who took the highest FF vote in the county – was “delighted”’ with his personal endorsement but saddened to lose fellow councillors. He believes the Killaloe councillors “paid the price for Fianna Fail’s na- nCOyereD im ore) n(eavae