Crowley re-election in South a rare highlight for embattled FF
Veteran Fianna Fáil MEP Brian Crowley retained his seat for Ireland South today after being elected on the fourth count.
Supporters cheered as Mr Crowley, who is tipped to run for the Presidency in two years, gave his ailing party a slight air of dignity when he became the first candidate selected in Munster.
Former GAA president Sean Kelly remains overwhelming favourite to take the second seat for Fine Gael, currently with 98,394 votes.
However, outspoken Fianna Fáil TD Ned O’Keeffe was nowhere to be seen as he was earlier eliminated in the third count.
Mr Crowley said it was disappointing Fianna Fáil did not win more seats in the local elections, but defended Taoiseach Brian Cowen and stressed it was a reflection of the anger of people against Government.
“The party isn’t Brian Cowen, it isn’t Brian Crowley or one single individual,” said the MEP.
“The party is a collective of all the people we have at local, national and European level and we work together as a national movement to try and make this country better.
“We’ve taken this country through dark times before and we can take this country through dark times now.
“Under this present leadership, he is the strongest man with the most capacity to deliver on behalf of that and that will be the case. That will happen.”
Outgoing Fine Gael MEP Colm Burke, who had 58,654 votes, was eliminated in count five and lost his position in Europe.
His votes are now being distributed between the remaining candidates who are vying for the third seat – Labour’s Alan Kelly (70,991), Sinn Féin’s Toireasa Ferris (69,295), and outgoing Independent MEP Kathy Sinnott (66,920) who is gaining the majority of transfers.
Green Party chairman Dan Boyle was eliminated from the race last night.
Mr Crowley – an MEP since 1994 who in 1999 and 2004 topped the poll and was elected on the first count – refused to discuss any plans to run as President.
“My name has been mentioned with this on many many occasions and to be even considered to be a potential candidate for that office is a great privilege and a great honour,” continued the wheelchair-bound MEP.
“But my only job and test now is to deliver on behalf of the people of Ireland south, the people of Munster, and the people of Ireland.
“As Mae West said one time, it’s better to be looked over than overlooked.”
