‘Built on low base’
Green Party candidate Blaithin Gallagher felt privileged after Saturday’s General Election, where she was eliminated on the tenth count. Gallagher, a first time runner in this election, was an unknown quantity coming into this campaign, and she was honoured to receive 1,791 first preference votes, with transfers taking her to 2,575 before she was eliminated.
She told The Sligo Champion: “Considering it’s my first time out I feel I did quite well. It’s great to see that you have some Green support in this area. We’ve built on a low base. I’m very happy that I’ve done quite well.
“I think the votes came from all over the place. I’m very grateful to everyone who voted for me. To give a person a mark on a paper is a real honour so I really feel privileged to have been involved in the process.”
Gallagher missed the first week of campaigning as she was out of the country, and is currently on crutches so could not get around as much as she would have liked. But this makes her achievement all the more impressive.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to have that many people put a mark against my name on a ballot paper.”
The Leitrim woman is hopeful that is only the start of her political standing here in the constituency.
“We have a small but very dedicated team. I’ve to thank all my campaign team. I only had a few posters. It’s difficult when you’re an unknown to have your face in the race. Considering I was the next up from all the seasoned campaigners I think I’ve done ok.”