Former Fine Gael Deputy for Longford-Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has been elected to the Cultural and Educational panel of the Seanad. Ms McFadden learned of her election in the early hours of Tuesday morning when she secured her seat on the 23rd and final count.
A former Mayor of Athlone and Westmeath County Councillor, Ms McFadden was elected to the Dáil in a 2014 by-election, taking her sister Nicky’s seat after the latter’s untimely death. She lost her seat in the Dáil in the recent General Election. Senator McFadden was contesting this election against 24 other candidates. She is one of just five to have secured a position on the Cultural and Educational Panel.
Westmeath County Council Cathaoirleach Paul Daly has also been elected to the Seanad. The Fianna Fáil councillor has been elected to the Agricultural Panel of the House. Westmeath County Council will now have to elect a new cathaoirleach and another councillor will have to be co-opted to the chamber.
Athlone man and Fianna Fáil Councillor, Aengus O’Rourke, is still in the running for a seat on the Industrial and Commercial Panel of the Upper House. Fine Gael’s James Bannon and Aidan Davitt of Fianna Fáil are also hoping to secure a seat on the same panel.
At the time of writing this, the counting of the votes in the Seanad elections continues.
