Election 2011 - Dublin North Central Round Up

In the end, there was an unexpectedly clear-cut result in Dublin North Central with almost everyone agreeing on the likely final result well in advance of even the first count.

No surpises that Richard Bruton topped the poll but the vote management strategy employed in Clontarf in the last week of the campaign meant a lower first preference vote than expected.

Less expected was the election of first time candidate Aodhan O'Riordain from the Labour party who comfortably took the 2nd seat. Aodhan had been expected to fight it out for the last seat with Naoise O'Muiri but as it happened the last seat dogfight was between Naoise and sitting TD, Finian McGrath.

The transfers received by Finian from two independents, Helen McCormack and Donna Cooney of the Green Party who were eliminated over various counts put the third seat out of reach for Naoise.

Clontarf Residents' Association were at the count and we were delighted to be provided with tally results even in advance of national broadcasters. We were able to keep people informed using Twitter and Facebook. We were also provided with some in depth analysis through a live interview with the FG and the McGrath tally teams who explained how the counts would progress. That interview is available here

While we were there, we also got a chance to talk to our three incoming TDs.

Richard Bruton whose interview is cut short due to a poor signal at the count centre, (sorry Richard!) What you miss is a fine tribute by Richard to outgoing constituency colleague Sean Haughey. (Listen Here)

Aodhan O'Riordain who in spite of his obvious delight at getting elected spares a minute to also pay tribute to Sean Haughey who was well supported by Aodhan's family in Donnycarney over the years. Aodhan also reflects on specific Clontarf issues that helped him raise his profile in this part of the constituency. (Listen here)

Finian McGrath, who recommits himself to working on behalf of the residents of Clontarf on key issues such as Dublin Bay - (Listen here)

We also spoke to Naoise O'Muiri (listen here) who was narrowly beaten into 4th place.

Finally we spoke to outgoing TD, Sean Haughey who talked about his time serving the constituency and Clontarf in particular. He talks about what transpired on doorsteps during the campaign. His strong personal vote gave him some consolation but the FF 'tide was out' and that made it impossible for him to hang on to the seat. (Listen here)