by Louise Doyle
The performance of Martin Scanlon is one of the major talking points to have emerged when the tally figures were weighed up from Lifford-Stranorlar Local Electoral Area yesterday.
Although the first count has not begun here in Finn Valley Leisure Centre, Mr Scanlon looks set to top the poll, with the tallies predicting the Independent candidate will poll 1,387, just around 200 short of the predicted quota of 1,582.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Mr Scanlon said the strength of the tallies has not yet “sunk in”.
“It still hasn’t sunk in yet, I am over the moon with the support I got. Votes came from everywhere, not just my own locality. I think there was only one box that I did not get a vote in in the whole area, which goes to show how broad out my message went.”
Mr Scanlon said he believes some voters are tired of the political status quo.
“I would say it was a personal vote but I would also say there is a bit of an anti-establishment party vote too.”
He admitted that, if elected, there is a challenge ahead for him.
“It will be a big challenge moving into council. I am not coming from a political background, I am just coming straight in. It will take me a while to find my feet but I will hit the ground running.
“The rural community is my main issue, getting money spent and to get a bit more into the Finn Valley. I want to get a bit of investment in water and broadband services.”
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