General Election: 'Forgotten county' title should be ditched, says Nikki Bradley

Senator Nikki Bradley says the people of Donegal should dish the “forgotten county” title.

Bradley stood in the weekend’d general election in the Donegal constituency, but was eliminated on the 14th count. Her 6,176 votes will now be distributed among the remaining candidates in the race.

Disability advocate Bradley was appointed to the Senate by Taoiseach Simon Harris in July after Regina Doherty was elected to the European Parliament. 

“That title of Donegal being the forgotten county, I have seen it in headlines, I have seen it in interview and I have seen it too many times,” she said at the count centre in Letterkenny.

“If I had one wish it would be that we stop using that term and stop associating it with Donegal. We have so much to offer the rest of the country and we are an incredible county. 

“The people of Donegal need to remember that. I do think that there is a little bit of moaning and groaning going on about certain issues. 

“If people just stopped, took a minute and concentrate on what they do have rather than what they don’t have. I understand why they feel that way and there is work to be done.”

While disappointed to miss out on a seat in the Dáil, Bradley hopes to continue her work as a Senator in the coming months and years.

She said: “I’ve had four months to gather up support. Moving forward as a Senator, what I can do will be quite similar to what I would’ve been looking to do as a TD. 

“From a personal perspective, I still feel quite positive and issues that I heard on the doors I will be bringing to the Seanad and I will be hopeful that I can remain as a voice.”

Bradley conceded defeat on Saturday when it became apparent that she had not garnered enough votes to get a seat.

With 3,658 number ones, Bradley had too big a deficit while her running mate John McNulty exited on the 12th count, having polled 3,247 votes.

All in all, it was a dark day for Fine Gael in the county as the party is without a TD in this area for the first time since its formation in the 1930s. 

Bradley said: “There is a bit of a feeling that some of the issues aren’t being listened to. That is a conversation for another day. I will move forward with the same determination that I have always had. 

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“I have specific policies that I want to bring into place and I am very passionate about all of those issues.

“I will still be flying the flag for Fine Gael in Donegal. I think they are a great party.”