Newcomer John O’Heney wins the race in Cashel-Tipperary LEA with massive vote

“It is a little bit unprecedented really,” said John O’Heney who had little time to allow the news sink in that he topped the poll in the Cashel-Tipperary LEA in incredible style.

Early on there were whispers of an upset and then, in a flash, a political newcomer was elected and topped the poll.

“It’s very exciting and I’m very humbled to have received such support around west Tipperary,” he said once he had a second to think and take stock of what was happening at the Count Centre in the Presentation Convent Sports Hall.

The Lattin native had been campaigning for months. He got to know thousands of people on doorsteps and villages across the LEA and he listened.

His words stuck a chord with voters who looked to someone new. Mind you, he know agood few of the voters because he covered so much ground: “I decided in October I’d run as an Independent candidate in the area and I put plans in place around Christmas time.

“I had a launch night as far back as January and I’ve been on the road since February for four, five or six nights a week out meeting people.

“I travelled to each and every parish in west Tipperary, thousands of Kilometres and met hundreds and hundreds of people so the hard work paid off today.

“It is a little bit difficult to know what to say because I was hoping to be in contention for a seat but little in my wildest dreams did I expect such a level of support for the community.”

The former teacher and current businessman is very heavily involved in his local community for 15 years he says: “Ever since I left secondary school I’m involved in a dozen committees all in a voluntary capacity around west Tipperary and south Tipperary.

“I just have a keen interest in helping people and working with people. I always had.

“The different careers I’ve had over the years as a school teacher and now as a business person in the area I have helped people dealing with their issues and this just felt like a natural progression for me.”
The fact he topped the poll may have been a shock to some people but he was well received on the doorsteps.

He felt he had some support, but not as much as the poll shows: “People will look at this and say ‘my God, this man is after topping the poll on his first time out,’ but I have been on the ground around west Tipperary for over a decade and I think people have realised that.

“The further I got into this campaign the more people realised the work I had done on the ground. I think the vote probably reflects that.

“I’m a little bit lost for words because I had half expected to be here for the whole weekend looking for votes and transfers!

“It is just a little bit overwhelming, I’m incredibly grateful,” the poll-topper said.