Pub-assault senator John McGahon breaks silence: 'It's been a very ...
Controversial senator disappeared for much of the campaign The Fine Gael candidate got 4,000 first preference votes His running mate is likely to be elected for Fine Gael but he came seventh
After weeks of silence in a campaign beleaguered by the resurfacing of a video that saw the Louth Fine Gael outgoing senator involved in an altercation on the street, John McGahon finally faced the media at the count centre in Dundalk on Sunday evening.
His sudden arrival in the count centre broke a tedious afternoon where candidates and supporters await the outcome of the re-check following the 13th count when Aontú’s Michael O’Dowd was eliminated, six votes short of being able to reclaim his election expenses.
The Fine Gael candidate acknowledged he will not gain a seat in Louth following a campaign where his candidacy became a source of controversy for his party.
Taoiseach Simon Harris faced repeated questions about the appropriateness of Mr McGahon being on the ticket given the outcome a civil court case which saw him told to pay €39,000 in damages as a result of fight outside a pub.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald both said they would not have supported his candidacy if he was in their parties.
Mr McGahon ultimately came seventh in the five seat constituency after gaining just more than 4,000 first preference votes.
Talking to The Argus at the count centre, he said: “Obviously it’s been a very tough two weeks for me, personally, to say the least, but I’ve been genuinely and absolutely overwhelmed with the kindness and support that the people of Dundalk town has shown me and that really means so much to me.
"I suppose I’ve put politics first for the last 10 years of my life and now it’s time to put my family first and put my wife, Aine first and I’m looking forward to spending as much time as possible with them over the next couple of weeks.”
He accepted that this would not be his day and congratulated the candidates leading the race to fill the five seats in Louth.
He said: “I really want to congratulate Cllr Paula Butterly. She’s been an excellent councillor for the last four years. I’ve seen how hard she has worked for County Louth and I know she is going to be an excellent TD for the next five years and we in Fine Gael are very lucky to have her represent us in the Dáil.
Talking to the media John McGahon. Photo: Aidan Dullaghan/Newspics
“I also want to congratulate Ruairí Ó Murchú, I’ve seen how hard he works in Dundalk town, I’ve seen how good Erin McGreehan is as a representative in the Seanad and I’m sure she’ll continue to do that in Dáil Eireann and Ged has been here for 20 years, representing the county and has done exceptionally well.
"I want to wish Joanna Byrne the best of luck. I served with her on Louth County Council and I know she will do very well, as well.”
The outgoing senator who looks set for some time on the political side-lines, made it clear he did not want to get into the controversy that dogged his campaign but he wanted to simply thank the people of Dundalk for their support.
He said: “I am so thankful to the people of Dundalk town. I have loved every moment of this, it’s been a huge privilege and a huge honour.
"The kindness, the warmth and the decency that has been shown to me by the people of Dundalk, over the last two weeks in particular, will be something that I will hold deeply in my heart for a long time to come.”
After his brief media interviews, he was swarmed with hugs and firm handshakes from many candidates and follow colleagues on Louth County Council, with former Deputy Fergus O’Dowd offering his support among the many others.
For a brief moment you could be forgiven if you thought his arrival was the start of a coronation, for a man who worked his whole political life towards trying to be a TD for Dundalk.
