BREAKING: Fianna Fáil's Bridie Collins elected in Adare-Rathkeale on sixth count

IT WAS down to the wire for Fianna Fáil Cllr Bridie Collins, who has now retained her seat in the Adare-Rathkeale area. 

The Adare woman was just two votes from the quota in the fifth count and she got in on count six, so her wait was particularly harrowing with the end in sight for such a long time. 

Speaking to Limerick Live as she was still reeling from the results, she said: “It always comes down to the wire, doesn’t it? It makes it so much more exciting.” 

She said they have a good mandate now and she will be working on the water issue in Foynes. 

Cllr Collins thanked the campaign team who have helped her along the way, canvassed for her and all those who gave her a vote. 

READ MORE: Long-standing councillor eliminated from Adare-Rathkeale district

“I’m thrilled, I’m delighted and I’m very humbled,” she said. 

Being just two votes was agonisingly close. 

She said: “Two votes you’re nearly there and it’s just making sure you get those two votes and I did.” 

Cllr Collins said the whole process and how close it all gets just goes to show how every vote can make such a huge difference and that’s why preference voting is so important. 

She added that she’s looking forward to working with the directly elected mayor and to make sure that the Adare-Rathkeale area gets its share of funding from the mayor’s fund.