By Sabrina Sweeney
IT was a poignant night for Anthony Molloy and the Fianna Fáil team in Glenties as the party managed to secure just one seat on Donegal County Council.
While Molloy polled strongly and saw his vote rise by 53 per cent, party stalwart Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher admitted they were “extremely disappointed”.
He said they would have to regroup ahead of a general election but remained hopeful that the Fianna Fáil vote is “not gone forever”.
“I’m retired but I’m still working and I will work with Anthony to assist in any way that I can.”
Molloy, the former All-Ireland winning captain, was returned to Donegal County Council having been first elected just five years ago in 2019 alongside fellow FF councillor Noreen McGarvey. McGarvey, from Burtonport, who had been an active member of Fianna Fáil for many years, sadly passed away in December.
“She was a great friend of mine,” said Molloy after the result was announced, adding “she helped me when I came in. We lost a fantastic councillor.”
“It’s sad, he continued. “It’s joyous for me but it’s poignant here tonight.”
Despite Molloy tallying in third place this time round, behind Independents Micheál Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig and Michael McClafferty, the Ardara man had to wait until well into Sunday evening before he was officially elected on the eighth count.
Standing in the centre of the Laurels Ballroom, surrounded by his wife, family and supporters, Molloy received a huge applause as the results were declared.
He said he was “relieved” and “very honoured” to be back for another five years as a councillor to represent all of his constituents “across the board”.
He thanked everyone who voted for him, “from those who gave me No. 1 down to No. 5”, adding that when he was elected in 2019 he “came in from the cold” and “had to learn quickly”.
“I’m here now and work starts tomorrow again.”
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