ORANMORE SENATOR FIDELMA HEALY EAMES EXPECTED TO RETAIN SENATE SEAT

Date Published: 27-Apr-2011

Oranmore Senator Fidelma Healy Eames looks likely to retain her seat in the Senate following the first count on the Labour panel at Leinster House.

The Fine Gael Senator picked up 83 first preference votes, just five short of the quota of 88.

Fidelma Healy Eames, who unsuccessfully contested the Galway West election,is now looking very likely to retain her seat in the Senate.Meanwhile, Galway senator Ronan Mullen from Ahascragh, who is contesting the seperate NUI Seanad elections looks likely to retain his seat in the Senate.

Galway Green Senator Niall O' Brolchain looks likely to lose his seat.

The other two Galway candidates, NUI Galway lecturer Donncha O'Connell, and city teacher Matthias Walter Cowley are not in contention for one of the three seats.

Earlier today, Sinn Fein candidate Trevor O' Clochartaigh from Carraroe was elected to the Senate, by taking the fourth seat on the 11 seat agricultural panel.

Last night, Ballinasloe councillor Michael Mullins became the first Galway person to be elected to the Senate, by election on the cultural and educational panel.

The count on the fourth panel, the Industrial and commercial panel for which there are three Galway candidates - CllrsTom McHugh and Pat Hynes and barrister Lorraine Higgins is expected to begin tomorrow.