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IT WAS a long wait at the Kerry count centre in Killarney Sports & Leisure Club and well over 14 hours after the ballot boxes were opened, the cheers rang out as Michael Healy-Rae took the first seat.
As expected, Michael topped the poll in spectacular fashion, with the highest number of first preferences of any candidate in the country. He was followed by his brother Danny when returning officer Padraig Burke announced the results of the first count, which were as follows: Michael Healy-Rae, Independent, 20,378; Danny Healy-Rae, Independent, 9,991; Brendan Griffin, Fine Gael, 9,674; Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein, 9,458; John Brassil, Fianna Fail, 8,156; Jimmy Deenihan, Fine Gael, 6,489; Arthur Spring, Labour, 4,813; Norma Moriarty, Fianna Fail, 4,348; Michael Pixie O’Gorman, Independent, 1,236; Michael Fitzgerald, Green Party, 1,011, Brian Finucane, People Before Profit, 981; Grace O’Donnell, Fine Gael, 776; Donal Corcoran, Renua, 716; Mary Fitzgibbon, Independent, 635; Kevin Murphy, Independent, 464; Henry Gaynor, Independent, 147.
Michael Healy-Rae paid tribute to their canvassers and to the electorate. “We’re deeply humbled at the amount of people who came out to vote for Healy-Raes,” Michael told the Killarney Advertiser, as he stood flanked by his fellow general election candidate Danny and Danny’s son, county councillor Johnny.
“We are grateful that to all our canvassers who worked and suffered for us! An enormous effort went into it and it took a tremendous campaign to achieve the result that we attained.”
Earlier in the evening the sitting Independent TD had taken a spin in the open-top double-decker bus parked just outside the count centre, when going out to grab a bite to eat.
Danny entered the race just a fortnight ago, just moments before the deadline.
Competition has been fierce for seats in the now-five seat Kerry constituency. Five outgoing TDs have been among the 16 candidates.
The Healy-Rae brothers are determined to continue the family legacy begun by their father, the late Jackie Healy-Rae.
They were clear in their vote management strategy, immediately asking voters to vote for one or the other as number one and number two, depending on where in the county the voter lived.
Earlier on Saturday, Michael said on RTÉ: “Some people in Dublin don’t get this, but I’ll send a message. It’s all about being a servant to the people that elect you.” Addressing people in Dublin for a second time, Michael Healy-Rae said his critics will now have two people to take-on. “Some of the smart alecs in Dublin who may have picked on me in the past. Well, you know what? They’ll have to pick through him to get to me,” he said.

 
Danny, Johnny and Michael Healy-Rae.