Defeated candidate said it was the 'honour of his life' to represent Tipperary in the Dáil

After a devastating General Election defeat in the battle to try and hold on to his seat, Martin Browne said it was the honour of his life to represent Tipperary in Dáil Eireann.

The Sinn Féin candidate who won the seat in 2020 lost out on this occasion after a dramatic second day of the count in Thurles.

On Tuesday morning he issued the following statement - 

"I would like to thank and extend my appreciation to everyone who I have had the honour of

representing since first being elected to Dáil Éireann in 2020.

During that time, I have worked hard to fulfil my role as a public representative in assisting and

representing the people of Co Tipperary as a member of the Dáil, the Joint Committee on Agriculture

and as chair of the Joint Committee on Public Petitions.

It has been the honour of my life.

I would also like to thank everyone who supported me throughout the election campaign, including

the hard-working Sinn Féin team who campaigned tirelessly to bring Sinn Fein’s policies to the doors

of people across South Tipperary, and who were equally committed to assisting and representing the

needs of the people they engaged with over the years.

But I would also like to recognise and thank all of those who cast a vote in my favour. To receive a

total of 6,237 votes is an incredible achievement. And while it did not result in my re-election, I

believe that it is a testament to the work my team and I put in to addressing the issues that matter

to people.

To everyone who lent me their vote, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

However, it is unfortunate that West Tipperary is now without a TD. And while that is the case, we

must also remember that Sinn Féin will continue to have two hard working and dedicated councillors

across the county.

WATCH: Martin Browne calls out those who refer to Sinn Féin as 'shadowy figures'

Cllr Annemarie Ryan, who is based in West Tipperary has an unmatched dedication to her area. That

commitment is unshakeable.

In addition to this, she, alongside our long-standing Carrick-on-Suir based councillor David Dunne

have always been, and remain focussed on acting in the best interests of everyone across the county

– no matter where you are. I urge anyone who has a query, any need, or would wish to find out

more about Sinn Féin and our policies to contact them at any time. They only be too happy to work

in your interests.

I would also like to acknowledge all those who put their name forward for the General Election. It is

proof of their commitment to working in the interests of their communities. Community always

comes first.

I also wish the best to those who were successful in being elected – Mattie McGrath, Michael

Murphy and Seamus Healy. I wish them the best in achieving all they can for the people of

Tipperary.

My time as a national politician could not have happened with endless support of my family who

have been my rock and who have dealt with the long hours and countless days apart which are a

intrinsic feature of carrying out this role. My appreciation is unending.

 also want to thank the staff in my office for their work in assisting me and the constituents for

whom we have always sought to do all we can to assist.

And finally, I want to assure the people of South Tipperary that I, our national representatives,

alongside Tipperary Sinn Féin’s councillors, members and activists will continue to work hard across

Co Tipperary with the ultimate aim of delivering a Sinn Féin government that brings an end the

flawed policies of FF/FG that failed so many people over the decades," he said.