O’Brien may consider general election run

FÍS Nua candidate Niamh O’Brien has told The Clare Champion that she felt obliged to seek a partial recount after her elimination from the Killaloe Electoral Area on the fourth count. The first-time candidate was just six votes behind Liam Wiley (FF) when she was eliminated.
“Because there’s only six votes in it, why not? I would bow out gracefully but if it’s worth fighting for and I’ll stay here for another while and see how it goes,” the O’Callaghan’s Mills native said before her elimination was confirmed after the partial recount.

“It’s not too many times that I say this but I’m really proud of myself. I’m so honoured that so many people thought so much of me to put me this far. I have to thank them and I have to apologise because I was so thin on the ground and I didn’t get to everyone,” she added before paying tribute to her family.

“My mother Bernie was brilliant. She was either minding my young fella of 18 months or she was out canvassing with me. My brother Emmet was brilliant and my whole family were just fantastic,” she said.

Niamh O’Brien did not rule out the possibility of standing in the next general election.

“I don’t know. A general election is a different kettle of fish but it’s definitely something I would consider seeing as a lot of people put their faith in me and I wouldn’t like to disappoint them. If they believe in me that gives me the confidence to go further. I’m delighted to have got this far and I think I may have rattled some cages,” she concluded.