Mid Ulster has a new MP but it’s more of the same in the constituency as former local councillor and mayor Cathal Mallaghan swept to victory with a majority of just under 15,000.
Sinn Féin’s candidate picked up 24,085 votes and an increased share of 53% when the counting finished in Meadowbank in Magherafelt in the early hours of Friday.
With outgoing MP Francie Molloy announcing his intention to stand down earlier this year, Pomeroy man Mr Mallaghan was chosen as the successor to the veteran Republican and duly defended the seat.
Mr Mallaghan paid tribute to his predecessor during his victory speech, and was joined by party leader and deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill.
He said: “For his entire adult life he has served his community, and everything you need to know about the man is that he puts just as much effort into this campaign as he has done in any of his own down through the years.
“People in Mid Ulster have voted for decisions about their lives and their future to be made here, at home in Ireland. They have rejected 14 years of British Tory cuts.
“I thank everyone who voted for Sinn Fein’s vision for a positive and better future in a new Ireland. My commitment as a Mid Ulster MP is to work hard every day to deliver on the things that matter to workers, families and to businesses in our community.”
Mid Ulster is the home constituency of First Minister Michelle O’Neill, who says she was glad to keep hold of the seat.
“You always be very proud of those closest to you, particularly in my own backyard,” Ms O’Neill told The Irish News.
“Cathal is going to be a first class MP, he has 13 years experience in the council, he’s been a chair in the council and he’s going to bring a lot of energy to the role.”
Sitting DUP MLA Keith Buchanan polled in second place with 9,162 votes and a vote share of just over 20%, a drop of more than 4% of the vote.
SDLP candidate Denise Johnston finished in third place with 8% of the vote, while the TUV leapfrogged the UUP as the second largest unionist party in Mid Ulster.
