*Michael Vaughan. Photograph: Martin Connolly
Michael Vaughan has lost out in his bid to be elected to Seanad Éireann.
Lahinch hotelier, Michael Vaughan (FF), a first time candidate received 3 votes. Prior to the count, he had stated his party colleague, Timmy Dooley (FF) was “a shoe in” and predicted he himself would struggle to make it past the first count.
Eliminated on the fifth count of the Industrial and Commercial Panel, the father of two had hoped to be a voice for business, tourism and the West of Ireland if elected to the Upper House.
All candidates had to find new ways of campaigning over the past four weeks with Covid-19 forcing them to canvass electronically and by other means.
Vaughan stated that it was “A very unusual campaign in that I had to isolate for the majority of the campaign and didn’t get to meet too many councillors. It would be great to see the Seanad reformed so that more people could vote and that the house could revert to its original intended role in the Oireachtas”.
As it stands, Dooley is still in contention for one of the nine seats from the panel. He polled with thirty five votes but is collecting necessary transfers. The former TD had been expected to poll stronger than he has but has not been written off as of yet.
