For the first time, Galway has elected a black woman as a city councillor. Labour’s Helen Ogbu secured the fourth seat in Galway City East.
Following her were Aisling Burke of Sinn Féin and Shane Forde of Fine Gael, both parties having previously lost seats in the 2019 elections.
This change resulted in the ousting of two incumbent councillors: Noel Larkin, an independent who was eliminated on the twelfth count, and Mike Crowe, a former independent who joined Fianna Fáil in 2006 after being first elected in 2004.
Both Larkin and Crowe are former mayors of the city.
Helen Ogbu, Shane Forde, and Aisling Burke will be joined by Alan Cheevers (Fianna Fáil), Declan McDonnell (Independent), and Terry O’Flaherty (Independent) as the six councillors representing Galway City East.During the election, Fianna Fáil called for a recount on the 14th count when Mike Crowe trailed Forde by just 16 votes.
However, the recount was abandoned after it became clear that Crowe could not close the gap.**Caption:** Helen Ogbu celebrates her historic victory, surrounded by family, friends, and supporters, including her Labour colleague, Councillor Niall McNelis.
**Galway City East – 6 Seats**-
Electorate: 18,110-
Total poll: 8,102-
Spoiled votes: 101-
Total valid poll: 8,001-
Quota: 1,144**Fourteenth Count: Distribution of Cheevers’ Surplus**-
Helen Ogbu (Lab): 1,105 (+3)- Aisling Burke (SF): 988 (+3)- Shane Forde (FG): 936 (+4)- *Michael Crowe (FF): 920 (+2).
The video below shows the celebration after her win. Congratulations 🎊 👏.
