AN INDEPENDENT candidate has made Irish election history after picking up just one vote in the European elections.
Patrick Feeney stood as an independent candidate for Galway City Central alongside 15 other candidates.
But while each of the other four independent candidates garnered anywhere between 82 and 478 first preference votes, Feeney fared much worse – he got just one.
What makes matters worse, in this instance, is that that one vote probably came from Feeney himself.
Thankfully his vote increased substantially on the second count – 100%, in fact – with Feeney getting another vote to finish the night on two.
Patrick Feeney must have a very, very small family. #LE19 pic.twitter.com/z6QAztnGBh
— Dermot Keyes (@DermotKeyes) May 26, 2019
The Galway City Central candidate’s efforts soon caught the eye of Irish election enthusiasts on Twitter.
“Fair play for trying,” one noted.
“Patrick Feeney must have a very, very small family,” another reflected.
Arguably the lowest vote in Irish electoral history, Feeney could at least console himself with the fact he picjed up 32 votes in another electoral area – he stood in two, putting himself forward for another seat in Conamara.
The single vote in Galway must surely have been his own, was there no one else could see to give him another? Comical as much as sad, someone would put themselves out there like that for a public flogging with a cat of no tails. Take a bow Patrick Feeney. You have hero potential.
— David O'Callaghan (@calibrated4mac) May 28, 2019
A self-proclaimed "innovation president of Ireland" offering "a break from the status quo" Feeney is unlikely to be fazed by the rejection,
Back in 2016 he ran for election in Galway West, receiving just 22 votes.
He’s also previously attempted to get on the ballot paper for the Irish Presidential Election.
A retired Aer Lingus worker, Feeney went to college in Galway with Michael D Higgins and has his sights firmly set on ousting the Irish politician.
Got to love a trier.
See More: Galway, Galway City Central
