Aontú candidate Mary T Sweeney claims that this general election gave unfair advantage to the large parties.
The Letterkenny campaigner, who was eliminated in the eleventh count in Donegal, is delighted that her party will be represented by two TDs over the line so far – leader Peadar Tóibín and Mayo candidate Paul Lawless.
But, she says three weeks was not enough time for her team to traverse the county.
Speaking to Donegal Daily on the formation of the next government, she said: “The big concern for me is the likes of Micheál Martin, he is so disparaging of the Irish people. How dare he give three weeks for an election? There is no democracy in getting three weeks.
“To build any new party, or any independent person that has put their time, effort and money to put themselves forward it’s not easy.
“It’s an affront. He knew the three weeks were too short a period.”
Sweeney says her party was “the only real opposition in government”.
“Sinn Féin have not been in opposition for the last five years. They have been flip-flopping on so many issues in the country,” she said, referencing the care referendum.
Sweeney, who has run in two local and now two Dáil campaigns, finished with 3,376 total votes in this election.
Despite her elimination, she is buoyed by her transfers boosting 100% Redress candidate Charles Ward. Her 1,318 transfers put Ward ahead of Charlie McConalogue in the twelfth count.
She said: “The most defective thing about the redress scheme is the scheme itself that was delivered by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. We have to demand that Sinn Féin represent the people of Donegal and fulfil their promises, if they are in opposition, be in opposition and listen to the people, not to their own whims.”
Eleventh Count Results:
Bradley Nikki (FG) 4134
Gallagher Pat the Cope (FF) 10922
Jordan Noel (SF) 5155
McConalogue Charlie (FF) 8531
McNulty John (FG) 3379
Pringle Thomas (IND) 6457
Sweeney Mary T (AON) 3376 – Eliminated
Ward Charles (100R) 8466
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