Darren O’Reilly: surprise package.
First time Independent candidate Darren O’Reilly became the surprise packet in the historic election for the Derry-Strabane District Council by being elected on the first count.
The 27-year-old youth co-ordinator secured 1091 first preference votes in the newly-drawn up five-seater Foyleside District Electoral Area.
Sitting SDLP Cllr John Boyle topped the poll with 1132 and was also elected on the first count.
Sinn Fein’s Barney O’Hagan lost his seat after gaining 701 votes in the first count, eventually being eliminated after the third count.
His party colleagues, Cllrs Mickey Cooper and Eric McGinley, were elected after the fourth count having gained 801 and 791 first preference votes respectively.
SDLP Cllr Shauna Cusack was elected after the fifth count having gained 740 first preference votes.
Eligible Electorate 11724
Votes polled: 6539
Total valid vote: 6368
Quota: 1062
First preference votes:
Boyle, John (SDLP) 1132
Comer, Daniel (Alliance) 137
Cooper, Mickey (Sinn Fein) 801
Cusack, Shauna (SDLP) 740
Farrell, Rory (SDLP) 743
Gillespie, Sha (People Before Profit Alliance) 232
McGinley, Eric (Sinn Fein) 791
O’Hagan, Barney (Sinn Fein) 701
O’Reilly, Darren Pio (Independent) 1091
