Michael Healy-Rae is in full flow on a TV screen in front of us in the media room here in the Dr Hyde Centre… but it’s the arrival of another well-known political figure that has captured some attention.
Outgoing Fianna Fail senator Eugene Murphy has just arrived. He offers a handshake and, as ever, is courteous. We have a very brief word. It’s obvious that he knows his Independent candidacy is not going to be successful.
Politics is a tough game, or business, call it what you will. With 100% of boxes in Roscommon-Galway now tallied, Murphy is on 4231. It’s a long way off what he needed if he was to be in contention this weekend.
At the other end of the spectrum, Michael Fitzmaurice, based on these tallies, will top the poll and be elected on the first count. He is the king, Eugene Murphy may be the king-maker.
Claire Kerrane of Sinn Fein and Martin Daly of FF are on course to join Fitzmaurice in the Dail. Kerrane is on 7930 (on tallies) while Daly is polling 7252. Turnout is down on 2020.
Aisling Dolan of Fine Gael is polling 4831, and is too far behind the others, even with Dympna Daly-Finn’s transfers to come.
When Murphy exits later, it will boost Martin Daly, and he could take the second seat.
There’s very little atmosphere here, at the moment at least. But political careers are being built, boosted, and bruised, to varying degrees.
