Gallagher focused on how transfers will go from Cavan in Monaghan

There's a long way to go before we'll know the lie of the lay of the land.

Fianna Fáil’s Senator Robbie Gallagher has increased his first preference vote by nearly 1,300 after securing 6,273 in the first count, which has been just announced, here in the Cavan-Monaghan Constituency.

Senator Gallagher is one of three Fianna Fáil hopefuls in the constituency, as well as outgoing Deputies Brendan Smith and Niamh Smyth.

Speaking to The Anglo-Celt as he arrived at the count centre this morning, Senator Gallagher said he is “very happy” with his vote increase. “I’m happy with that and delighted with the votes in Monaghan,” he continued before adding that much of the success is down to “the whole team that we had out”.

“That is the only thing that is clear about this count at this stage because everything else is caught up in confusion. It could possibly be tomorrow (Monday) before we know where the lie of the land is."

Senator Gallagher is concerned, however, about how transfers will go his way in the Cavan side of the constituency. “Most of the significant eliminations are going to take place in Cavan and I don’t know yet whether that will have a negative or positive impact on me. It is a wee concern that I have but, at the same time, it’s still too early to tell. But we’ll hang in there for as long as we possibly can.”

Now in his second General Election bid, Senator Gallagher believes Fianna Fáil is on course to retain two seats in this constituency. Last time out, he secured 5,062 first preference votes. “Two seats will be a good return; the party vote in both counties held up very, very well despite all the candidates that entered this race in the first place so hopefully we will be able to hold on to the two seats.”

On the possibility of Cavan and Monaghan TDs on the front beaches in the 34th Dáil, Senator Gallagher laughs and points to the “first hurdles” to be crossed before consideration is even given to such matters. “If you were to ask any of the Cavan Monaghan candidates here today, their number one concern is to get a seat, so we’ll keep all of that on the backburner for now, and worry about the first hurdle before we worry about the next one.”

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