LETTERKENNY: Joy and heartache combine as Fianna Fáil’s Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly tops the Letterkenny poll to be elected in the first count.
The Glenswilly farmer won with 1,841 first preference votes.
After the tragic loss of Manus Kelly weeks after he won a seat in the 2019 election, Donal says they’ve done him proud today.
Speaking to Donegal Daily, he said: “This was a rough rollercoaster ride for each and every individual here. We lost Manus five years ago on the 23rd of June, we lifted him on our shoulders in here. Coming back in here, it all hits home. But I think we’ve done him proud.”
Donal Mandy Kelly and Family in the count centre earlier
Determined not to lose the seat won by his brother, Kelly put in a massive campaign and said he couldn’t thank everyone enough for their support in the campaign and voted for him.
“I’m delighted, I’m honoured, I’m privileged to be back representing the people of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District and Donegal for the next five years and I can assure them I will work tirelessly and not take anything for granted. I will work to the very best of my ability.”
Watch the interview in full here:
LETTERKENNY FIRST COUNT:
Thoiba Ahmed (Non-Party) – 440
Kevin Bradley (Non-Party) – 734
Vincent J Bradley (Non-Party) – 95
Ciaran Brogan (Fianna Fail) – 1,407
Nuala Carr (Green Party/Comhaontas Glas) – 176
Donal Coyle (Fianna Fail) – 950
Tomás Seán Devine (100% Redress) – 1,289
Sandra Haughey (Sinn Fein) – 619
Ulick Hughes (Sinn Fein) – 345
Declan Jordan (Non-Party) – 621
Jimmy Kavanagh (Fine Gael) – 1,248
Donal Mandy Kelly (Fianna Fail) – 1,841
Michael McBride (Non-Party) – 1,101
Anne McCloskey (Irish People) – 150
Michael McLaughlin (Labour) – 226
Gerry McMonagle (Sinn Fein) – 972
Selina O Donnell (Non-Party) – 30
Mary T Sweeney (Aontu) – 785
Quota: 1,629 Electorate: 25,643 Turn Out: 13,175 Spoiled: 146 Valid: 13,029
Minister Charlie McConalogue congratulates Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly
Donal Mandy Kelly with his wife Aislinn and son Donal
Donal Kelly Snr and Jacquline Kelly
