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It certainly was a long night at the election count but eventually all the candidates were selected for Crotlieve, Slieve Gullion, The Mournes and Downpatrick. Even a fire alarm at Newry Leisure Centre couldn't break the monotony with the count going all the way through to 6.35am! Sinn Féin
At midnight just 9 candidates had been elected from 8am that morning, 8 Sinn Féin and 1 DUP. It took over six hours to announce the other 16! Selina Murphy, Sinn Féin was first, then Gareth Sharvin was first SDLP candidate elected in Downpatrick. Next was Laura Devlin, SDLP, The Mournes followed by party colleague Declan McAteer in Crolieve. Cadogan Enright, Alliance and Philip Campbell, Sinn Féin were then selected for The Mournes.
At 2am Independent Crotlieve candidate Mark Gibbons was elected. Then it was seasoned councillor Henry Reilly's turn in The Mournes followed by Kate Murphy, Sinn Féin; Mickey Ruane, Sinn Féin and Jarlath Tinnelly, Independent. Jill Truesdale, Alliance was elected for The Mournes with Conor Galbraith, SDLP elected for Downpatrick. It was five in the morning before sitting Slieve Gullion councillor Pete Byrne was re-elected and then a long wait for the final candidates in the South Armagh ward Oonagh Magennis and David Taylor who got past the post just after 6.30am.
Four sitting councillors lost their seats, SDLP Crotlieve candidate Karen McKevitt lost out by just one vote to Jarlath Tinnelly 1512 votes to 1513. Crotlieve also saw Sinn Féin's Gerry O'Hare lose out. In The Mournes it was TUV councillor Harold McKee who wasn't returned. Finally in Slieve Gullion, Barra Ó Muirí, Sinn Féin candidate failed to be re-elected.
Then it was home for a couple of hours sleep with a 9am return time.
