Senator Pauline Tully vows to be a strong Oireachtas voice for Cavan

Senator Tully lost her seat in November's General Election, and she thanked those who voted for her.

Newly-elected Senator Pauline Tully has vowed to be the strong Sinn Féin voice the people of Cavan need in the Oireachtas.

Speaking last night after she topped the poll to be elected to the Seanad via the Cultural and Educational panel, Senator Tully said: "I am absolutely delighted to be elected to Seanad. I strongly believe that Cavan needs a strong Sinn Féin voice in the Oireachtas to represent them.

“As well as being that strong voice for the county, I also want to continue my work for people with disabilities, carers and those working in the education sector."

Senator Tully lost her seat in November's General Election, and she thanked those who voted for her.

The former schoolteacher is one of only two candidates deemed to be elected to the Cultural and Educational panel so far, with a recount of count No. 18 requested. This will begin at 9.30 a.m. today.

There are three seats left on the five seat panel.

Local Fine Gael Cllr Carmel Brady was excluded after Count 11.

“I want to thank everybody who voted for me – all the TDs, councillors and outgoing Senators.

“But in particular, I want to thank the thousands of people in Cavan and Monaghan who voted for me in November’s General Election.

“We came so close to delivering three Sinn Féin TDs for the constituency and I know that for the thousands of people who voted for us that the return of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to government will be of great disappointment to them.

“But, following my election to the Seanad tonight, this constituency now has three Sinn Féin Oireachtas members who will go toe to toe with the government from day one.

“We will continue to have your back, and we will work to build an Ireland that is fairer, united, and more equal; to achieve a new era where workers, families and communities come first.”