BREAKING: Jubilation for Sinn Féin as candidate Ursula Gavan secures a seat in Limerick City East

THE LAST seat for Limerick City East has been filled with Sinn Féin newcomer Ursula Gavan.

Newly elected Cllr Gavan shed tears of joy and said that the count was a “bit of a whirlwind”.

“I was not expected [to be elected] earlier today,” she said. 

“I am absolutely delighted with the result. It is a huge honour and I endeavour to do my best for the people of Limerick City East.”

While Cllr Gavan is the first and only successful candidate for Sinn Fein in Limerick City East out of three party member hopefuls, she said it is ‘bittersweet’ to be elected.

“We [Sinn Fein] didn’t have the best day, nationally or locally, so it’s bittersweet because of my colleagues who didn’t get in,” she said.

It is Cllr Gavan’s first time running for election and she beat other council member Michael Murphy to the post, who got eliminated in count 10.

Cllr Gavan along with Cllr Hartigan swooped in to take the final two seats in Limerick City East on count 11. 

Party colleague Danielle O’Shea gifted Cllr Gavan with 386 votes upon her elimination. 

As a result, Cllr Gavan also overtook newcomer Eric Nelligan in the running in securing the seventh and last seat.