Kildare South count results

The Kildare South count is now completed and all three contested seats filled. Martin Heydon passed the quota on the 11th count, with 11,364 accumulated votes. And after the distribution of his surplus, Shónagh Ó Raghallaigh of Sinn Fein (10,220) and Mark Wall of Labour (9,942) were deemed elected without reaching the quota. Fiona O’Louglin of Fianna Fail was the last candidate to be excluded on 9,482 votes.

Martin Heydon elected on the 11th count after receiving 1,147 of Cathal Berry’s transfers. Shónagh Ni Raghallaigh in on 10,151 with Mark Wall in third place on 9,739. Fiona O’Loughlin has 9,124, and Heydon’s surplus in now being distributed.

With the completion of the 10th count and the distribution of Chris Pender’s votes, Martin Heydon still heads the poll with 10,217 (+389), from Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh with 9,426 (+1,047), Mark Wall 8,744 (+1,239), and Fiona O’Louhlin 8,312 (+408). Cathal Berry at  4,767 (+477) has been excluded and his votes are now being distributed. 

After the completion of the 9th count with the distribution of Melissa Byrne’s votes, Martin Heydon is on 9,828, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh at 8,379, Fiona O’Loughlin at 7,904 and Mark Wall is at 7,505. Cathal Berry is 4,290 and Chris Pender has been excluded at 3,888. His votes are now being distributed. Cathal Berry received the most of Byrne’s transfers, with 627, while O Raghallaigh got 467, Heydon 200, O’Loughlin 175 and Wall 155.

After the completion of the 7th count with the distribution of Willie Carton’s votes, Martin Heydon is at 9,595, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh is at 7,763, Fiona O’Loughlin 7,697, Mark Wall 7,261, Chris Pender 3,670, Cathal Berry 3,441, Melissa Byrne 1,939, and Anthony Casey has been excluded at 1,362. His votes are now being distributed. 

The sixth count has been completed. Willie Carton has been excluded. Mark Wall got the most of Patricia's Ryan's transfers at 181, followed by Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh with 135 and Cathal Berry with 101. Now we have to see what kind of distribution Ballitore-based Willie Carton's transfers make.

Martin Heydon FG	9477
Fiona O'Loughlin FF	7651
Shónaigh Ní Raghallaigh SF	7626
Mark Wall L	7040
Chris Pender SD	3617
Cathal Berry Ind	3317
Melissa Byrne AON	1825
Anthony Casey IFP	1165
Willie Carton II	1113
Patricia Ryan IND	762
Monaa Sood GP	618
Tom McDonnell IND	534
Robert Cosgrave PBP	505
Leanne O'Neill IND	152
Edel Doran II	123

From the time of the first count last evening it has been a slow-moving travel for the top six in Kildare South, writes Brian Byrne. That's because of the small numbers of votes being reallocated as the six on the bottom were excluded one by one up to the fifth count.

The total from Edel Doran (II), Leanne O'Neill (IND), Robert Cosgrave (PBP), Tom McDonnell (IND) and Monaa K Sood (GP) came to just 1,932 votes. Pending the distribution this morning of Patricia Ryan's 762, the increments over the five counts were 145 to Martin Heydon (FG), 119 to Fiona O'Loughlin (FF), 250 to Shónaigh Ní Raghallaigh (SF), 205 to Mark Wall (LAB), 386 to Chris Pender (SD) and 209 to Cathal Berry (IND).

Beginning the sixth count this morning, Martin Heydon is 1,327 votes from the quota, probably certain to be elected but not yet. The remaining two seats are being hotly contested by Fiona O'Loughlin, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh and Mark Wall, the two women currently very close to each other at 7,608 and 7,491 respectively and Labour's man very much in contention at 6,859.

On the face of the numbers, Chris Pender performed very respectably, but at the moment his 3,543 is far short of the leading bunch, and it's not likely he will be one of the increased SocDem TD Dail population this time. Cathal Berry at 3,216 must be quite disappointed after an on the ground canvass that showed 'military precision' according to one local very senior retired army officer. 

The shape of the day for Kildare South is now going to depend on where the more significant number of transfers from the current bottom runners go.

Patricia Ryan's last time amazing success as a poll-topping Sinn Fein came down to earth with a very hard bump this election as an independent, showing the importance of a party machine, especially one of SF's calibre. It will be interesting to see what proportion of her transfers might go to boost the position of Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh.

The next two to go will be Willie Carton (II) and Anthony Casey (IFP). Geographically a chunk of their transfers could conceivably help Mark Wall climb towards that last seat, though by the nature of their parties, there may not be much to transfer.

As a first time Dail contender, Melissa Byrne (AON) must be feeling pleased with her 1,677 first preferences and at this point on 1,767. Where her distribution might go is not easily guessed, but could have a bearing on how long Cathal Berry or Chris Pender stay in the race. And their own votes are what will decide the fates of O'Loughlin, Ní Raghallaigh, and Wall.

The sixth count begins at 9am. Nothing other than that is certain.

SATURDAY 30TH NOVEMBER

The fifth count has been concluded and Patricia Ryan has been excluded. The count has been adjourned until tomorrow morning.

Martin Heydon FG	9407
Fiona O'Loughlin FF	7608
Shónaigh Ní Raghallaigh SF	7491
Mark Wall L	6859
Chris Pender SD	3543
Cathal Berry Ind	3216
Melissa Byrne AON	1784
Anthony Casey IFP	1134
Willie Carton II	1071
Patricia Ryan IND	762
Monaa Sood GP	618
Tom McDonnell IND	534
Robert Cosgrave PBP	505
Leanne O'Neill IND	152
Edel Doran II	123

The fourth count has been completed and Monaa Sood has been excluded. Pictured are poll leader Martin Heydon and his family all keeping a close eye on things at the count centre.

Martin Heydon FG	9303
Fiona O'Loughlin FF	7528
Shónaigh Ní Raghallaigh SF	7455
Mark Wall L	6722
Chris Pender SD	3390
Cathal Berry Ind	3162
Melissa Byrne AON	1767
Anthony Casey IFP	1129
Willie Carton II	1065
Patricia Ryan IND	753
Monaa Sood GP	618
Tom McDonnell IND	534
Robert Cosgrave PBP	505
Leanne O'Neill IND	152
Edel Doran II	123

The third count has been completed and Tom McDonnell has been excluded.

Martin Heydon FG	9290
Fiona O'Loughlin FF	7511
Shónaigh Ní Raghallaigh SF	7407
Mark Wall L	6703
Chris Pender SD	3372
Cathal Berry Ind	3076
Melissa Byrne AON	1713
Willie Carton II	1012
Anthony Casey IFP	981
Patricia Ryan IND	711
Monaa Sood GP	613
Tom McDonnell IND	534
Robert Cosgrave PBP	505
Leanne O'Neill IND	152
Edel Doran II	123

The second count in Kildare South has been completed and the latest figures are below. Robert Cosgrave of People Before Profit has been excluded.

Martin Heydon FG	9278
Fiona O'Loughlin FF	7503
Shónaigh Ní Raghallaigh SF	7264
Mark Wall L	6662
Chris Pender SD	3166
Cathal Berry Ind	3055
Melissa Byrne AON	1692
Willie Carton II	1004
Anthony Casey IFP	973
Patricia Ryan IND	703
Monaa Sood GP	592
Tom McDonnell IND	530
Robert Cosgrave PBP	505
Leanne O'Neill IND	152
Edel Doran II	123

At the end of the first count in Kildare South, Martin Heydon of FG is, as expected from the tally, leading the poll with 9,262 first preference votes, from Fiona O'Loughlin FF, Shónaigh Ní Raghallaigh SF and Mark Wall L. The turnout was 58.2%; Electorate: 74,243; Valid Votes: 42,934; Spoiled Votes: 271; Quota: 10,734. The full figures of the count are below. Doran and O'Neill have been excluded and their votes are being distributed.

Martin Heydon FG	9262
Fiona O'Loughlin FF	7489
Shónaigh Ní Raghallaigh SF	7241
Mark Wall L	6654
Chris Pender SD	3157
Cathal Berry Ind	3007
Melissa Byrne AON	1677
Anthony Casey IFP	957
Willie Carton II	955
Patricia Ryan IND	678
Monaa Sood GP	585
Tom McDonnell IND	499
Robert Cosgrave PBP	498
Leanne O'Neill IND	152
Edel Doran II	123

With the tally for Kildare South now completed, the top four in estimated first preference percentages represent parties in order Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein and Labour. The percentages are below. The first count now begins.

Martin Heydon FG	22.10%
Fiona O'Loughlin FF	17.90%
Shónaigh Ní Raghallaigh SF	17.40%
Mark Wall L	16.30%
Chris Pender SD	7.50%
Cathal Berry Ind	7.20%
Melissa Byrne AON	4%
Willie Carton II	2.30%
Anthony Casey IFP	2.20%
Patricia Ryan IND	1.70%
Monaa Sood GP	1.40%
Robert Cosgrave PBP	1.20%
Tom McDonnell IND	1.20%
Leanne O'Neill IND	0.40%
Edel Doran II	0.30%

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Voting stations open until 10pm

Voting stations in General Election 2024 are now open across Ireland's 43 constituencies will remain so until 10pm. A total of 174 TDs will be returned to the 34th Dáil, up from 160 in the outgoing assembly. 

At 5.30 this afternoon, 39pc of Kilcullen voters had cast their ballots. At 3.30 this afternoon, the figure was 27pc, at 12.30 this afternoon, the figure was 17pc, and at 9.30 this morning, the figure was 5pc.

Registered voters may need photo ID and their polling card if they have received one. The card is not necessary to vote, but it does indicate the location of your local polling station. Acceptable ID includes a passport, driving licence, public services card, an employee identity card containing a photograph, or a student identity card with a photograph.

Vote 1, 2, 3 in the order of your choice on the ballot paper. DO NOT use X or any other notation — if you do so your vote will be invalid.

If you make a mistake on your ballot paper, bring it back to the returning officer who can give you a replacement paper.

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GE24, the Candidates: Mark Wall, Labour

Although Senator Mark Wall says it wasn't a given that he would enter politics, it probably was inevitable, writes Brian Byrne. A Labour candidate in this general election, he's making a third attempt for a Dáil seat in Kildare South, which in itself shows the political bug is well embedded in his psyche. Watching his father Jack Wall's lifestyle from the early 1990s as a Senator and TD, he says he was minded to avoid the all the time accessibility that it entailed. "I even saw him being called out on a Christmas Day, when I was young and still living at home," he told the Diary, "so at first I stayed away from it."

He studied Marketing and Business Studies and began a career in the private sector. But 'politics eventually came calling', as he puts it, and he bowed to the inevitable. First helping his father full time in his constituency work around south Kildare and eventually taking the plunge himself in 2009 when he was first elected to both Kildare County Council and Athy Town Council, topping the first preference results in both. He credits a grounding in community activism through his mother's family side that motivated him more than direct political ambition. 

"My grandmother was involved in welfare clubs and other community organisations in Castlemitchell, and my mother was similarly involved. So from an early age, I was given a strong sense of community." Visiting the late Joe Bermingham's Castlemitchell shop regularly as a child, was also absorbing the Labour ethic that came with the sweets bought on the way home from school. Bermingham had served as a councillor, and then as a TD for 14 years up to 1987, and was a strong influence on the elder Jack Wall's political progress. "I came up through a tradition of Labour, so maybe it was unavoidable that eventually I would go." 

But despite having worked so closely with Jack before that first 2009 run, he still remembers the sense of surprise when he would turn a corner and find his own picture on a telegraph pole. "It's daunting, first time around. But then, elections are always daunting. They take a lot of commitment. But I'm proud of the work I've done since 2009, in a good working partnership with my colleague Labour councillor Aoife Breslin." His most recent local election, in 2019, saw him at the top of the poll still. In the 2024 locals, Cllr Breslin took the top slot, helping also to bring in Mark Leigh.

Being unsuccessful in the general elections of 2016 and 2020 was 'difficult' when Mark Wall didn't get over the line — "and let no one tell you that's it's not difficult when you lose." But a lifetime involvement in sport, which his father Jack had too, gives him both a competitive streak and also the ability to accept defeat graciously. "I will do my very best to win a seat, but I'm a realist, and a democrat, and I have always shaken the hand of the person who did win the seat. And if I don't make it this time, I'll do that again."

Following the 2020 election, he was elected to the Seanad on the Industrial and Commercial Panel. In the upper house he has moved onto more national issues, and has brought forward three bills and co-authored a number of others. He is most proud of his work to bring legislation on gambling up to date, a passion based on seeing the devastation that a gambling addiction can inflict on individuals and their families. "We were working with legislation that goes back to 1954, and despite promises over decades by political parties, including my own, nothing had been done. I've heard stories of people losing their homes, of partners opening letters to learn that the mortgage hadn't been paid for 18 months." The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 completed its passage through the Irish parliamentary process last month and will likely come into effect in 2025. "We just needed that legislation, and a Gambling Regulator has been established, which is a very important step forward."

No more than for any others in the arena, Wall has relied on support from his family and friends as he plowed his own political furrows. "My wife Michelle has been my rock and support over many, many years. We do this as a family, if you look at any of my canvassing pictures you will see uncles, aunts, cousins." And his father Jack, of course: at the age of 79 he is both his son's Director of Elections and also canvassing with him — they were both out in Kilcullen last week. 

The candidate says things are going quite well on the doorsteps. "There's some recognition factor, there are people whom I've managed to help in the past while a councillor, and when they remind you it brings home the difference you can make if you work hard. People do realise that I work hard, that I'm the kind of person that they can go to. There are also people who don't know me, but the response overall is good."

It is in Wall's nature and the ethos he has grown up in to try and help when there are problems. "I'll always try, sometimes I'm not successful. One important thing that I took from Jack is to be honest about it. If you come to me with a problem, I'll work through it, but if I can't fix it I'll tell you that rather than leading you on. I think people understand that and accept that."

As this last week winds down to Friday and the weekend count that will direct Mark Wall's next few years, he's missing one of his key helpers. His and Michelle's youngest son has recently gone to Australia with his girlfriend. "But they're watching from there, I'm getting lovely messages that they're supporting me from the other side of the world. I'm very proud of that, it's something I cherish."

And from somewhere in the spirit of generations, there's a grandmother also quietly nodding her head.

EDITOR NOTE: All the Kildare South candidates were invited to interview by the Diary, to get a sense of the persons behind the posters. Our profiles here are of those who accepted, and we thank them for the time they afforded us.

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Patricia Ryan, Independent

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Fiona O'Loughlin, Fianna Fail

READ: GE24, the Candidates: William Carton, Independent Ireland

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Anthony Casey, Irish Freedom Party

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Martin Heydon TD, Fine Gael

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Monaa K Sood, Green Party 

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GE24, the Candidates: Patricia Ryan, Independent

Independent Dáil candidate Patricia Ryan is very personally aware of one of the key issues in this election, housing — one of her sons is still living with her in his 30s because he can’t get an affordable mortgage even though he is in full time work, writes Brian Byrne. That and the other major concerns she hears on the doorsteps as she canvasses are all very familiar, and in many ways relate to community matters with which she has been involved over decades.

Originally from Ballybrittas, Ryan is a 22 years resident of Monasterevin where she used to work in the Tyna Knitwear factory when it was a keystone of manufacturing in the Kildare South town. “It’s all commuter now,” she says. “We need industry and the infrastructure for it. If I’m re-elected, I hope to work with local business people and others to try and make that happen.”

Through her years in Monasterevin, Ryan was strongly active in the community. In Tyna she became the union shop steward to represent her work colleagues. She was also involved in the civil defence, musical society, the local daycare committee, and more recently the community first responders. At home she became a carer for her elderly father, with whom she shared a deep interest in political matters including the family's Republican background. “I remember we used to watch the political and current affairs programmes on RTE — Today Tonight and all those programmes with Brian Farrell.” When her father passed away, Ryan went back to adult education for a time. 

In 2016 she ran in the General Election for Sinn Fein but didn’t make the cut despite getting a healthy 11.6pc of first preferences. In 2019 she won a seat in Kildare County Council, but ran again in the 2020 General Election where she topped the poll, and was the first candidate elected when she reached the quota on the 6th count. She admits to having been surprised at the level of her support, but says that she had gone into the contest to win, “so that I could work in a better structure for the people. Even while in Kildare County Council I always felt I had more to offer.”

Her time in the Council was short, but it was a period she enjoyed. Even though Sinn Fein had lost four seats in that election, which left her on her own. “I found everyone very approachable, though it was hard to get any motions across the floor because I was the only Sinn Fein councillor. Maybe if I had been an Independent it would have been easier.” But she says her time there was well spent because when she entered the Dáil she’d had some experience of procedures that served her well in Leinster House. 

The new workplace was, she recalls, ‘a bit daunting at first’. “It probably took me about three months to get my feet comfortably under the table, and I felt that if I'd not had the council experience it would have been much harder. But when you get to the Dáil you also get a PA and a secretarial assistant, so you have a staff there who are the backbone of what you do, and that’s a great help. And to be fair, the system in Leinster House is excellent, as are all the staff. And the Ceann Comhairle, Sean Ó Fearghaill, also from Kildare South, is always fair.” She also has the attitude that every day is an education. “No matter how many days you learn things, there is always something else to be learned.”

In her five years in the Dáil, she learned that while she was working with people who had different political agendas, and things might get 'emotional' in the chamber, all that has to be left there when you come out. "It's a vital part of politics, while you might disagree with people, it's good to meet them outside the chamber and have a friendly conversation. You've got to respect everybody." Her working week was Tuesday through Thursday in Dublin, and Monday and Friday back in her constituency. "While in Dublin, you do feel that you're in a bit of a bubble, and missing out on local things. It means that the staff in the constituency office have to be as on the ball as yourself. But if you work it right, you can keep your feet on the ground, absolutely."

Some weeks ago she left the Sinn Fein party and is fighting this election as an Independent. The fact that she doesn't have a big party machine behind her this time hasn't made any difference to the issues at the door, she says. "The problems are the same regardless of what party you're from — housing, health, cost of living. I was also a spokesperson for older people and involved with advocacy groups around that. To be fair, a lot of people have acknowledged the work I have done and they are being very nice to me. They're very honest if they're not going to vote for me, and I have no problem with that. I have no idea how it's all going to work out, but I am feeling positive.”

On the social media commentary which has become a particular issue for politicians, especially for women in the arena, she says simply that you have to become very thick-skinned. "People who come on social media like this have an agenda of disrespecting you regardless. You just have to rise above it."

Ryan is very clear that she has been enjoying politics and still is, and that she has every wish to stay in the space. "My only regret is that I didn't start in politics sooner. Not every day is a fun day and there are good and bad days, especially if you meet somebody who has to sleep on the street in the weather we're having. But I just want to continue the work. I hope to get elected again, but if I don't I'm not going to give up on activism. I'll always be doing something for the good of the community."

It's not all about politics. Ryan recalls once, while helping with the local Vincent de Paul shop, a man came in with 'his toes sticking out of his shoes'. "We looked around the shop and found a pair for him and sent him on his way. Six months later he came back with a box of biscuits to thank us. That was gold. That's what it is for me, when you can make a difference in the smallest or the biggest way."

EDITOR NOTE: All the Kildare South candidates have been invited to interview by the Diary, and in the run-up to polling day we will profile those who accept.

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Fiona O'Loughlin, Fianna Fail

READ: GE24, the Candidates: William Carton, Independent Ireland

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Anthony Casey, Irish Freedom Party

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Martin Heydon TD, Fine Gael

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Monaa K Sood, Green Party 

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GE24, the Candidates: Fiona O'Loughlin, Fianna Fail

When Fiona O'Loughlin started on her first political campaign, in the mid-1990s for Newbridge Town Commission, she clearly recalls the feeling that the result would dictate the direction of the rest of her life, writes Brian Byrne. “I remember not being confident about being elected, but knowing that if there was to be a road for me in politics, it would start here," she told the Diary this week. She did get elected, and is still travelling that road 30 years later, having been a commissioner, councillor, TD and Senator. 

These past few weeks, the roads of Kildare South have been particularly busy for her as she has canvassed to regain the Dáil seat she lost in 2020. “I'm absolutely ready, bursting with energy and enthusiasm, to serve the people of Kildare South again."

There's political blood in her family — a grand-uncle served in the very first Dail, her grandfather was in the first Kildare County Council and her dad Jimmy was one of Kildare's longest serving councillors. But she didn't immediately consider it for herself. “I grew up at home in Rathangan, one of 11, with all sorts of community and political activity. But I started work as a teacher in Newbridge when I was 19, then got involved in community activities there. I was with the scouts, the music society, and helping to try and get facilities like a playground and an arts centre for the children and the people I was working with.” That brought her into the political sphere, and eventually she was asked to run for the Town Commission for Fianna Fail. 

“When elected I was the youngest of the commissioners, and the only woman there for a long time. I think I was quite shy, I know it was daunting and I felt intimidated and it took me a while to develop my own voice and my own confidence.” By the time the 1999 local elections came along she had found both well enough to retain her seat on the Town Commission and win another on Kildare County Council. Town commissions ceased to exist in 2002, which she still considers a retrograde step for local government. “When you have people directly elected to represent your larger town you may only have a small budget, but you can have a lot of impact in your own community even with a small amount of money.”

A career break from teaching to travel was followed by working with People in Need and then the Special Olympics organisation. When the first Special Olympics to be held outside the US came to Ireland in 2003, she had what she remembers as a ‘wonderful job’ of Host Town Programme Manager, recruiting towns across the island of Ireland to 'adopt a country' so that 7,000 athletes coming here had places to stay and also share cultural experience. Kilcullen adopted Kenya, and afterwards the host committee here raised money to help build an athletics track in Kenya. "I had no doubt that Kilcullen would absolutely tap into it, and they did."

O'Loughlin was working with up to 41 countries from her Newbridge home and an office in Dublin, raising awareness for Special Olympics and also funding from the EU, all while continuing as a Kildare councillor. A tilt at higher political ambition came with with the 2016 General Election, when she was teamed with Sean O Fearghaill who had been a TD in Kildare South since 2002. "There was an opportunity for my party to take a second seat, and I felt I could do it. It was a tough, daunting campaign, but we made it." O'Fearghaill was subsequently elected Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, and has been automatically returned each election since. In 2020, Fiona O'Loughlin unexpectedly lost the seat she had held for just one term. Though devastated — "I had worked really, really hard" — she decided to have 'a big think and a talk with myself'. "I felt I had more to give, and that I wanted to continue to help shape the future of Kildare South, and run again the next time." But to remain politically relevant in the interim she needed to run for the Seanad. She did, and was successful. 

"I used my time wisely there," she says. "I worked on issues I cared about, including legislation for better management of the Curragh plains." She says the Seanad, with just 60 people, is more intimate and 'possibly not as aggressive' as is the Dáil. Other areas that interested her included working towards the creation of a domestic violence register, and making IVF state funded. She is also chair of the Committee on Education and Social Protection, and of the all-party Dementia Committee in Leinster House. "One of my key priorities was that Kildare got a specific daycare facility for dementia, which has been in operation for a year now."

On the canvass over recent weeks, O'Loughlin says there's very good engagement. "People are interested in talking about the local issues that concern them, but also international ones because of the horrific situation in Gaza and the aggression by Russia in Ukraine. We've all learned an awful lot in recent years because of that."

Meantime, up to Friday next she and her team of supporters will continue knocking on doors, on the political road dictated by her first election win three decades ago. A road with twists and turns she still loves. "I haven't done this for several years and I'm really enjoying it again."

EDITOR NOTE: All the Kildare South candidates have been invited to interview by the Diary, and in the run-up to polling day we will profile those who accept.

READ: GE24, the Candidates: William Carton, Independent Ireland

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Anthony Casey, Irish Freedom Party

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Martin Heydon TD, Fine Gael

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Monaa K Sood, Green Party 

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GE24, the Candidates: William Carton, Independent Ireland

When Independent Ireland candidate William Carton ran his first local election earlier this year in the Athy LEA, he polled more first preference votes than the combined two Sinn Fein candidates managed to do, writes Brian Byrne. He narrowly missed getting a seat, but the experience was invaluable to his second campaign in 2024, seeking a Kildare South Dáil seat.

Carton, who lives in Ballitore, describes himself as 'an ordinary Joe', working in the Roads Department of Kildare County Council and 'filling the local potholes'. Though not directly in a political family, he references an uncle in Baltinglass who was a councillor for 30 years, representing the Labour Party and later as an Independent. "So I always had an interest in politics, but this was the first time I took it on myself," he told the Diary this week. "Our children are nearly reared, and I was getting a bit of time to myself, so my wife said to go for it if I wanted to. We made a family decision."

Carton knew Michael Collins, one of Independent Ireland's three TDs and a founder member, and after a meeting in the Dáil he agreed to run for what was then a very new party aimed at bringing independents together as a coherent political force. Following the June elections, Independent Ireland now have 23 local councillors and one member of the European Parliament, Ciaran Mullooly, along with their three outgoing TDs.

William Carton recalls the early days of his first campaign as being 'overwhelming'. "I was kind of shocked, really. But I quickly learned that you can do nothing on your own. That family and friends are so important in something like this. Especially as an independent, printing leaflets and paying for my own posters, I couldn't afford to do it without the amazing support I've got." Not making it to the Council in June didn't deter him, and now, running his second campaign in a year, he says he is a lot stronger both as a person and as a candidate. 

The response to him at the doors is reinforcing his understanding that everybody is experiencing similar problems just now, particularly related to cost of living and access to housing. "I think there are people on the breadline, there's a lot of poverty in this country, there are people who are feeling neglected. The Government often forgets to look down enough to see it." He's not of the 'quick fix' political persuasion, though, saying "there's nobody alive can fix all this on their own, and whoever is in power in coming governments, it will ten years to get it fixed." 

With 16 candidates in Kildare South, including the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaill who is automatically returned, chasing just three of the four seats is a daunting task for any of the non-established contestants. It is arguable that just one of those seats is in contention and Carton is realistic about the long odds and has his own tempered expectations. "I'm not blind and I'm not silly. I'm trying my hardest, but at the end of the day these things don't just land in your lap overnight. You have to build a profile, and I'm looking at the long haul. It's no different than working a college course for four or five years to get what you want."

If he gets elected, this time or in the future, Carton's goal is to work with anyone or any group to get the results for the people he might represent, for the people who are taking the time to listen to him at the doors on his current canvass. If the Independent Ireland party grows like he believes it will, he could eventually be part of a much louder voice on their behalf.

Meantime, especially for William Carton and all the other smaller party candidates in South Kildare, and all the political nerds, the General Election 2024 count is going to be a very interesting couple of days. 

EDITOR NOTE: All the Kildare South candidates have been invited to interview by the Diary, and in the run-up to polling day we will profile those who accept.

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Anthony Casey, Irish Freedom Party

READ: GE24, the Candidates: Martin Heydon TD, Fine Gael

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