11 June 1997
Lourdes Holy water did the trick for Ring
The success story of Michael Ring has been a just reward for his high work rate since joining the Dail three years ago. And this rise to the top has been in no small way due to the support of his wife Ann and family and a drop of "Lourdes Holy water", according to wife Ann.
Describing Michael as a fighter, she said: " If there is a chance he can get something done for somebody he won't let it go. He never gives up without a fight."
Speaking after he topped the Mayo poll on Saturday, she said: " I am delighted with him. I feel his work rate has been rewarded.
"We thought if we could bring his votes up to seven and a half thousand we felt he was in with a chance. He was fighting for one of the seats and that's what we believed. To hear the results coming in, it was amazing. It is a wonderful achievement for Michael and for all his supporters."
Very much a family man, Ann says the couple's children are proud of their father's success.
"Our children are extremely very proud of their father. Michael did not have a very good education early on, he left school at a young age, and I think that's why we are more proud of him than anything else.
"They were praying for us, the Lourdes Holy Water, everything."
Michael's success, she said, is also due to his common touch which has made him a popular figure across the county.
"Michael has a very good outgoing personality and he loves meeting people. He has the common touch and there are no airs or graces about him.
"He has his feet firmly on the ground and appreciates his success." .........
Higgins proud of historic day for Fine Gael
The securing of three Fine Gael seats in Mayo was a "historic day" for the party, according to Jim Higgins.
This success stemmed from well planned strategies. "We knew we had the candidates", he said.
Fine Gael's focuses was that "each candidate was given a particular area and we knew there were enough votes in these areas to ploughed, fertilised and harvested and thankfully they came good on the day.
"The majority is bigger than we participated and there has been a substantial swing to Fine Gael."
A regular poll topper, Jim said he was delighted for Michael Ring who came out on top on this occasion.
He said: "He won a historic by-election against the odds and from that Fine Gael has never looked back.
"Michael was out there hoovering up votes and like I said on occasions, he was a bit like a demented Nilfisk - he was hoovering up votes all over the place.
"I had a number of problems. There was a general prediction that because I headed the poll on the last three occasions in East Mayo that I was going to do it again on this occasion. That is dire news for anybody because it is better to cry than to jubilate in advance."
He added: "I also had two independent candidates - one in my own town (Ballyhaunis) and then Richard Finn in Claremorris. I knew my first preference vote would be down."
We took three seats - Kenny
The objective of Fine Gael's campaign was to get three seats for the party, Enda Kenny said after the count on Saturday.
"And we have done that", he said.
" It is a victory for good quality candidates and hard work.
"Somebody has to head the poll and Michael Ring is entitled to his hour of glory. Our objective was to win three seats. It is a huge result and a massive swing in Mayo from where we were back in the '70s to where we are today."
Referring to the defeat of P.J. Morley and Seamus Hughes he said: "You have carried the banner of representation for your party and county with integrity and pride both in the Dail and internationally."
"This county is on the move and we intend to keep it that way."
Hughes is going to be back!
Defeated Fianna Fail candidate Seamus Hughes in the post election speeches said he was particularly proud of the 6,800 people that voted for him.
" As far as I am concerned there has been no slippage in the Fianna Fail vote that I represented. In fact, my first preference vote has gone up by 75 per cent since I last stood here in November '92.
"I wish my colleagues well. I know they will do a good job."
He said he was sure Bertie Ahern would become Taoiseach.
He added: "I can assure you Bertie Ahern will come knocking on my door before I go knocking on his door because he needs me after doing so well here."
He continued: "As a member of Mayo County Council and a public representative I am here for the long haul.
"People have lost their seats before - they've regained them. Hughes is going to be back. I am going to give a commitment to the people who voted for me that I will continue to serve them with the experience that I have had in the last four and a half years and with Bertie Taoiseach of this country, working together with Beverley and Tom, the fire will be back in the Fianna Fail organisation much sooner than a lot of people can predict."
He said they had put in a good campaign. " It was a clean fight", he said.
. He continued: "Reference has been made to the resources of candidates. Seamus Hughes had to use his posters that he published in November '92 because they were the only ones that could be seen on the telegraph poles. The official ones weren't very distinct if you were travelling at 50 miles per hour."
He continued: "I have something to celebrate. I have the absolute loyalty and commitment of my councillors in my area - Councillors Frank Chambers, Jack Heneghan, Denis O Gallachoir and Martin Joe O'Toole. "
Morley disappointed for his voters
Deputy P.J. Morley who lost his Dail seat at the weekend, says he is more disappointed for the people who gave him their vote than for his own loss.
Paying tribute to the people of his Claremorris, Ballyhaunis, Charlestown and Swinford based, he said: "While I am a bit disappointed at the result I am more disappointed for them than I am for myself. I know how anxious they were for my success.
He thanked all who voted for him in this election "and in the eight previous general elections. "I certainly, while disappointed, I am very proud of the fact that if tonight I stand here defeated I saw many other nights when I was victorious when they helped me to victory. But that's politics and when you are in politics you should be prepared to lose as well as win.
"I always realised I would be fighting for the last seat, I thought. Now I congratulate my successful colleagues."
