‘This is not just for him, this is for all of us’

Sometimes people forget what it is like for family members of politicians and it is fair to say that they knock on many doors, hand out leaflets, put up posters, listen to voters and get nervous on the day of the count.

So it was for Ann O’Heney, sister of the newly-elected John that hails from Lattin. “He has been pacing the roads since January I’d say and canvassing since every night of the week. We’ll be exhausted by the end of this but sure, look he got great suport behind him.

“From neighbours, family and friends everyone has come out and he is delighted with the support he has got.

“As he said himself it is our day today. This is not just for him, this is for all of us.”

It was a difficult position for an Independent going into the election as a ‘firsttimer’ without the support of a political party to support the associated costs and offer strategy however the poll topper John O’Heney just got on with it Ann says:

“That was a big decision to make to go Independent, he felt it was the right thing to do for him. He has been putting in groundwork for years back so it is not just a case of the past couple of months,” she said adding “it felt like the right time for him”.

Other politicians had support there too of course and Molly Browne, who didn’t get elected this time out was supported by her father Martin.

“These kind of days there’s a bit of excitement, tension, the whole lot. Some people are disappointed, some people are happy but sure it is all part and parcel of it.

“2019 I was in a position here that I lost my seat that year,” he said.

Three Sinn Féin candidates ran this time including his daughter Molly: “We had Tony and Annemarie as councillors and Molly fair play to her, a young woman who is at home living with us.

“She is one of that generation that is caught, can’t afford to move out. She is working as an SNA and its not easy being involved in politics.

“Compared to years ago it is very toxic being involved in politics, especially if your a woman, and that is not just in Sinn Féin, that is across all the parties and they would all tell you that.

“From a young age Molly was always there or thereabouts out canvassing and leaflet dropping so it probably not something new so fair play to her for running. I applaud anybody that puts their name on a ballot sheet.”