BREAKING: 'We attracted a voter that FG would not traditionally attract' - Limerick's Daniel Butler
Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler bows out of race to become directly elected mayor of Limerick
FINE GAEL councillor Daniel Butler has been eliminated at the 10th count in the race to become the new mayor of Limerick.
The Raheen man, who topped the poll in City West with more than 2,000 votes, bowed out of this election with a total of 11,571.
"You come in elections to win them. I was in it to win it. But we had a lot against us. We came in late. We came in the middle of a change of leadership in the Fine Gael party. We came in with another candidate pulling out of the same pocket," he said in reference to former Fine Gael member Helen O'Donnell, running as an Independent candidate.
"The safety of our home and family was threatened during the election. But we fought on, and I think we fought a very good campaign. I think the vote I got is reflective of the energy and innovation I brought to the campaign. I thought we brought a very high calibre campaign and delivered a lot in a short space of time."
"We attracted a voter that Fine Gael would not traditionally have attracted, and I'm proud of what we achieved as a team," he added.
Given his high personal vote in City West and in this mayoral election, the suggestion has been made that Cllr Butler run for Dail Eireann in future.
He played this down for now.
"Right now, we are reflecting on this moment. As a party and me personally, I think we have engaged a new audience. I think we've engaged it in terms of politics. Particularly a young audience who have got behind me, and its reflective in the vote - and I think you will see that on the transfers as well," he added.
Cllr Butler's vote of 11,571 will now be transferred.
There are now only three candidates remaining in the race to become Limerick's first directly elected mayor
John Moran has increased his lead in first place with 22,290 votes - 5,602 ahead of second placed Helen O'Donnell.