Walsh upsetting the Sinn Féin apple cart in Belturbet-Cavan

Damian McCarney

Published: Sat 25 May 2019, 3:00 PM

Last updated: Sat 25 May 2019, 4:03 PM

Outgoing Cathaoirleach Madeleine Argue looks set to top the poll in Cavan Belturbet at this stage of the tally count. With just 12 boxes to open, the Fine Gael stalwart is setting the pace with an impressive 1,076 votes. Meanwhile Fianna Fáil colleagues Patricia Walsh and John Paul Feeley are also well positioned with 984 and 972 respectively.
With six seats available, the candidates in the best position to fill the remaining three seats are Fianna Fáil's Sean Smith (703), Independent Brendan Fay (687), Fine Gael's Peter McVitty (531) and Sinn Féin's Damien Brady (429) and Emmett Smith Solidarity (429) all vying for position.
Cavan Town based Walsh is the real difference maker in this story as her performance appears to have impacted on Daniel Downey's prospects. The Sinn Féin man was co-opted o nto Eugene Greenan's seat and is currently in 10th position at this admittedly early stage. It's possible that Sinn Féin could go from having two seats in this Electoral District to having zero.

Speaking to the Celt, former Labour Town councillor Des Cullen has said Liam van der Spek should be proud of his performance for the Labour party. He noted, that had he been running for a Town Council election, he would have secured a seat with his performance of 500 votes.

Latest Cavan-Belturbet tallies

Argue 1076
Brady 429
Downey 394
Fay 687
Feeley 972
McKiernan 149
McVitty 531
Smith E 429
Smith S 703
Van Der Spek 500
Walsh 984