Michelle Gildernew, the outgoing MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, has been unsuccessful in her bid to win a seat in the European Parliament. Gildernew, of Sinn Féin, stood in the Midlands-North-West constituency in the Republic of Ireland but lost out on the final seat to Ciarán Mullooly, a former RTÉ news reporter. Her party has held the seat since 2014. Gildernew did not attend the result’s declaration.
Last month, Gildernew confirmed that she would not stand for her seat in Fermanagh and South Tyrone during the UK general election, noting that her “sole focus” was the European campaign. She has now lost all major elected positions, having served for around twenty-five years as an MP or MLA. Also unsuccessful in the Midlands-North West was Sinn Féin’s Chris McManus, the constituency’s outgoing MEP. Fianna Fáil’s Barry Cowen, Independent Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Maria Walsh of Fine Gael and jockey Nina Carberry secured the remaining seats.
Final declarations were made at Castlebar in County Mayo on Friday morning. Both Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin were present. Harris was reportedly “ecstatic” about his party’s success, whilst Martin attempted to play down the failure of Fianna Fáil’s three candidate strategy.
Gildernew has previously held the position of the agriculture and rural development minister in Northern Ireland’s Executive. She has also held senior roles within Sinn Féin, including as a spokesperson for health and as a member of the party’s national executive. Gildernew was first elected as MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone in 2001, and again in 2017. She was also the first female candidate elected to the House of Commons from her party since 1918.
Elsewhere, Independents4Change MEP Mick Wallace lost his seat in the Ireland South constituency to Independent Michael McNamara, Sinn Féin’s Kathleen Funchion and Fianna Fáil’s Cynthia Ní Mhurchú. Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher and Fine Gael’s Seán Kelly were also successful in that region
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