Tipperary election count staff pay tribute to a friend and a greatly valued colleague

 Tipperary supporters of the Catherine Connolly campaign welcomed her historic victory after the count had concluded last Saturday.

The Catherine Connolly landslide was welcomed by Deputy Seamus Healy.

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“Catherine’s campaign has been positive, inclusive, compassionate and a pleasure to have been part of. She has a clear vision for her Presidency and has been determined and sincere in speaking out on issues such as our disability services, our neutrality, the housing crisis, the cost-of-living crisis, climate change agus an teanga Gaeilge.”

Deputy Healy said her message clearly resonated with many voters as she has secured a historic and unprecedented mandate.
“In electing her as the tenth Uachtarán na hÉireann the people of Ireland can be assured their President will always act with courage and integrity and use her voice for those who haven’t the ability, or for whom the circumstances don’t allow it.”

The Clonmel TD, whose team supported the Connolly, said the victory shows there was a huge desire for change, for fairness, compassion and inclusivity.

“Catherine started a movement in her campaign for the Presidency and I hope that that continues as Ireland needs change and we must use our voice in every way we can to achieve this,” said Deputy Healy.
The victory was also welcomed by Sinn Féin councillors David Dunne and Annemarie Ryan and the Sinn Féin membership in south Tipperary.

“Catherine has a proven track record of speaking up for those who have been sidelined; she has a sincerity that is borne of careful consideration and understanding; and possesses the integrity to stay true to her principles.

“Catherine’s success is also a confirmation of the ability of the Left to work together in a positive way and to achieve an equally positive result - the election of a President who understands the Constitution, is independent of the government, and who represents the values that really matter to households who are struggling for a variety of reasons,” said a statement from Sinn Féin.

Fine Gael’s Michael Murphy said both voter apathy and the volume of spoiled ballots was evidence of disengagement.
“I knew that voter apathy was very evident during the campaign and again I think that’s translated into the volume of spoiled votes, not just here in Tipperary, but around the country as well,” Deputy Murphy said.

Deputy Murphy suggested that reforms to the nomination procedure for future presidential elections may be necessary to address the problem and encourage greater voter participation.

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James Seymour, Presiding Officer at the Tipperary count, paid tribute to the late Philly Ryan.

“For 25 years Philly Ryan was involved in organising the elections and the count. He was a very valued member of the management team and he will be sorely missed. He was a good friend and colleague to all the election team in Tipperary,” said James Seymour.