Sinn Féin storm home in Omagh
By Mick Naughton.
As Sinn Fein's by-election candidate Terence Brogan
relaxed after his astounding win at last week's
by-election in West Tyrone, party activists were
jubilant that their campaign had paid off so
handsomely.
Election agent Barry McElduff said, ``everyone was
delighted with the powerful message the result has sent
out. With a high turnout of 72.6% and the quota being
set at 3,856 Terence stormed home with 4,088 votes. His
nearest competitor, the Ulster Unionist, came in with
only 1,189 while the SDLP's runner could only muster
1,095.`` Brogan in fact polled more than every other
candidate combined.
``Last year the Sinn Féin vote had reached 3,866, while
the SDLP had managed 1,605, so it was clear that the
Sinn Féin leadership's position combined with an
excellent constituency service to the people had swung
some former SDLP supporters to Sinn Féin,'' McElduff
said.
``There are a couple of very clear messages which come
out of this election and which people cannot afford to
ignore. 53% of the total vote speaks volumes. The
demand for Irish unity is as strong as ever and the
voters have once more placed their trust in the
Republican leadership, both at local and national
level. Regarding the administration of Omagh District
Council, the voters have signalled their strong
opposition to the Unionist/SDLP pact which is about
denying Sinn Féin access to senior positions in the
Council. Let them now let democracy take its course and
stop demonising the largest party on the local
council,'' he said.
In a thank you message to the voters, his election
director Sean Begley and his election team for their
support Brogan signalled the wider implications of the
Sinn Fein vote. ``The vote was really outstanding and
Gerry Adams has told me that it has given the
leadership a great boost and puts Sinn Féin well on
course to take the West Tyrone seat from William
Thompson at the next election. We look forward to that
day.''
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