New Tipperary South TD promises to work ‘night and day’ for the people
Michael Murphy regains Fine Gael seat in the constituency
Newly-elected TD Michael Murphy has pledged to “work night and day to deliver for the people of south Tipperary and those who put their confidence in me”.
The Fine Gael Deputy was elected on the sixth count on Sunday in Tipperary South at the General Election count held at the Presentation Secondary School in Thurles.
His election bridges an eight-year gap for Fine Gael, as the party regained the seat that it last held in the Tipperary South constituency up until 2016 - a seat held by Tom Hayes.
“It has been a long journey to get here,” said the 57-year-old Clonmel man.
“It has been 15 years since I was first elected as a county councillor, but they say politics is all about timing. This vote of confidence means an awful lot to me”.
It was a case of second time lucky for the current Mayor of Clonmel, a position that he will now relinquish, along with his seat on Tipperary County Council.
He previously contested the General Election 13 years ago, when he polled a respectable 5,402 first preference votes in a 2011 election in which his party colleague Tom Hayes, along with Mattie McGrath and Seamus Healy, won the three seats. He secured almost 3,000 more votes this time around, with a total of 8,371 first preferences.
“I feel there are a lot of challenges out there, and in the context of the next mandate this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to address those challenges.
“In the context of the bigger picture, I think it’s important that we have strong, stable and cohesive government.
“The big issues for me, and which came up on the doorsteps during the campaign, are housing, disability, law and order, and vacancy and dereliction across our key towns. Those are just some of the challenges.
“The response on the doorstep was very positive. I felt it was a serious campaign.
“I met an awful lot of people. I felt from the reaction I got on the doorsteps that I was in with a great chance of winning a seat.
“People were very courteous and respectful, and at times patient.
“I didn’t get to meet everyone but that is just the nature of contesting a General Election.
“There’s a lot of emotion in me right now, and the overarching emotion in me is one of gratitude to those who put confidence in me to be their Dáil representative; and those who put the number one opposite my name”.
Deputy Murphy also congratulated fellow Tipperary South TD Mattie McGrath on his poll-topping performance, and Seamus Healy on his election.
“I ran a very positive campaign. I had great structure, great organisation and great support from the constituency executive, my fellow public representatives and the Fine Gael grassroots.
“I’m particularly grateful to my family, my wife Jess and son Alex, and the extended Murphy and Slater families”.