One of the stories of the 2024 Local Elections was the gripping battle between Fine Gael colleagues PJ Kelly and Vivienne Phelan for the final seat in the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District.
After the first count in the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District, outgoing councillor PJ Kelly seemed to be in a good position.
The Fine Gael man from Belgrove near Ballybrittas had polled 997 first preference votes and was 191 clear of his running mate Vivienne Phelan in the battle for the sixth and final seat.
But count by count, the transfers went against him and to his Stradbally-based colleague. With the gap closing, it became apparent from early on Monday afternoon that he was in bother.
And he was eventually overtaken on the 10th count, and it was confirmed in a recount.
Kelly had been co-opted to replace Tom Mulhall in 2021 and had spent the past three years on Laois County Council.
“I gave it a good battle, I fought the good fight to the end,” he said when speaking to the LaoisToday Local Election podcast moments after the result had been made official.
“I stayed here for the whole completion of the vote, as I would, with respect to Vivienne Phelan.
“I don’t just step away when things are not going well – I’ll stand up and I’ll face what’s coming, and I was unlucky with the transfers they went against me.”
He said that he was always a bit concerned that his 997 votes may not have been enough.
“I had said to people that I needed 1,200 votes to be in a safe position – obviously with the quota it’d be another 300 on top of that again.
“I always thought 1,000 votes would be on the border of getting into potential difficulty. But on this occasion, I suppose transfers caught up on me. I thought I would’ve had enough without the transfers situation. But that’s how we do this business here in this county and country.
“I was getting some transfers and I suppose that was prolonging my continuation in the vote – we were down to two votes there at one stage.
“When Tom (Mulhall) got sick, I didn’t want to take on his seat, but things changed for Tom, God rest him, and that’s how that worked.
“I had no regrets taking it on, I did do my best in the Council. I tried to do as much for the local area. I was looking forward – hoping for another five years to try and do more things, but look, it’s not to be.
“I’m disappointed for the Mulhall family that I wasn’t able to retain that seat.”
Asked would he consider running again in five years time, his response was positive.
“Yes. I feel I’ve let down a lot of people by not getting re-elected. I had nearly 1,000 people voting for me.
“I’ve great neighbours as friends and I’ve great friends as neighbours. And they criss-crossed over the political divide to try retain that rural seat, and it’s gone now.”
“Many congratulation to (Vivienne). She’ll do her best, she’s a very able person, so there won’t be a bother on her when she goes into the Council.”
SEE ALSO – Check out all our 2024 Local Election coverage here
