Joe Higgins loses seat

[magickingdom]

with all the talk about mcdowell losing out no one seems to notice joe higgins lost as well. a far bigger loss imo to the dail then mcdowell. here is a guy who really said what he meant and meant what he said. kept a lot closer watch on bertie than the flea dees ever did...

[The Real Laoislad]

Once he's ok to play against Longford im not bothered

[deiseach]

with all the talk about mcdowell losing out no one seems to notice joe higgins lost as well. a far bigger loss imo to the dail then mcdowell. here is a guy who really said what he meant and meant what he said. kept a lot closer watch on bertie than the flea dees ever did...

I suppose it is unfortunate to see the departure of a symbol of one of the many great things about liberal democracy, i.e. that it can accommodate a few hardline socialists within the system. Hardline socialism, on the other hand, can not accommodate a single liberal democrat without labelling them An Enemy Of The (Ordinary Working) People and packing them off to the gulag.

[MacDanger]

A shame indeed, while I wouldn't agree with many of his policies, he was one of the very few politicans who had the courage of his convictions. A great loss to the Dail, but it probably says a hell of a lot about the sorry state of the country when he is booted out yet Bev is re-elected...........

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

A shame indeed, while I wouldn't agree with many of his policies, he was one of the very few politicans who had the courage of his convictions. A great loss to the Dail, but it probably says a hell of a lot about the sorry state of the country when he is booted out yet Bev is re-elected...........

Agreed, though Bev is probably one of the less shameful examples 

[blast05]

but it probably says a hell of a lot about the sorry state of the country when he is booted out yet Bev is re-elected

For doing her job as directed when working with NIB, as did hundreds if not thousands of similar bank employees in all banks across the country at that time ??

And you can be sure Mayo folks are relieved to have elected her given the way the gov is likely to pan out    

[Declan]

Yep Bev and Michael Lowry back in but old Red Joe will be a loss to the Dail. That means there's only One socialist now doesn't there? Bertie

[magpie seanie]

I admire Joe Higgins for his conviction and srtanding up for his beliefs as well as his humour and debating skills. i'm seriously not a fan of his politics but yes - I'd say he is a loss to the Dáil.

[Billys Boots]

Joe, as well as being a fine parliamentarian, is a genuinely nice fellah.  I think, like Sean Crowe, he lost out because he didn't have the support structures to look after his constituency as well as doing the fine job he did in the Dáil.  With the available independents now going to be 'tied up' in agreements with Bertie, it looks like a very boring and uninformative 5 years ahead.

[lynchbhoy]

Joe, as well as being a fine parliamentarian, is a genuinely nice fellah.  I think, like Sean Crowe, he lost out because he didn't have the support structures to look after his constituency as well as doing the fine job he did in the Dáil.  With the available independents now going to be 'tied up' in agreements with Bertie, it looks like a very boring and uninformative 5 years ahead.

you never know
he could do a deal with the greens yet - that would put a big smile on your face...and a bulge in yer pocket 

[Billys Boots]

Bertie and the Greens - are ye mad? 

[Louth Exile]

Again I am another that wouldn't agree with many of Joe's hard line socialist policies. Thought the time he went to prison over the bin charges was daft, given that us culchies have had to pay for the bins for years!!

Having said that I do agree that he will be a loss to the Dail, said to be one of the most popular TD's in the Dail. I was told that in a recent survey asking the parties which TD would they like to have in their party who is not already member of, that Joe was the most popular candidate. I echo the previous comments, it is a shame that Lowry, Bev CF and JHR will all be there while Joe won't.

[dublin15man]

Higgins only lost by 400 odd votes. I think his biggest problem was poor turnout from his strong areas. Some parts of mountview and fortlawn which would normally be strong areas for him only had about 45% turnout yet at the Castleknock end of the constituency turnout was at 75%, traditionally strong a FG area.

FF also deliberately ran Gerry Lynam who would have swept a lot of votes from JH, as they are both from Mulhuddard. Throw in Sinn Fein, and there just wasn't enough working class votes to go around.

[magpie seanie]

FF also deliberately ran Gerry Lynam who would have swept a lot of votes from JH

The bastards.

[dublin15man]

Not bastards just good tactics.