Smyth battling for her political life

Fianna Fáil's Niamh Smyth was battling for her political life at 8pm at the count in Cavan, when it emerged that she had dropped behind T.P. O’Reilly who went up to 6,592 on count eight, when running mate Sandra McIntyre’s 1,719 votes were distributed. He received 1,093 transfers; while Niamh Smyth got 97, bringing her total to 6,322.
When asked why her votes had dropped in this election, Niamh Smyth said: “Some might say that it should not come as a big surprise, but it is.
“We have been doing the work on the ground and the reception we got on the campaign was a good and positive one – I have seen colleagues right across the country lose their seats yesterday and today."
Asked what should happen now, she responded: “My view of it is that they [Sinn Féin] have got an emphatic and resounding vote from the electorate and they should be given the space to negotiate with like-minded policy makers like themselves on the left and try and form a government. It was clear in their message that they wanted to form a Government and they wanted to be in Government and we have to allow them the space to do that. We have to respect the voice of the people – it has been an emphatic vote for Sinn Fein in Government. Whether we like it or not, we have to sit back and allow them do that.

When asked if Micheál Martin should stay on as Fianna Fáil Leader, Niamh Smyth said: “You have to give credit where credit is due – he has taken Fianna Fáil from the ashes back in 2008, when he had only 20 TD’ to returning over forty.”
Niamh Smyth expressed a hope that she would be one of the two candidates still standing when the count concludes.
“It has been a harrowing couple of days – it will be wonderful to get elected after all that,” she said.