Mayo deputy who lost seat admits she feared Sinn Féin surge

OUTGOING Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Lisa Chambers has admitted she was 'not shocked' by the loss of her seat after one term in office.

The former Opposition Brexit spokesperson revealed she knew she faced a major battle the more the surge behind Sinn Féin grew.

The threat to her seat became obvious from an early stage when the votes in her local Castlebar district showed she was behind Rose Conway-Walsh (SF) by 3,093 to 2,642, her support on her home patch dropping by 1,255.

She stated: “Now that it's over, I feel calm enough.

“I had a fantastic four years in government. But when you look back to my election in 2016, it was a bit of a miracle.

“I was elected on the 10th count without reaching the quota after securing 2,183 transfers from Rose Conway-Walsh.

“I knew if she out-polled me in this election, which she did, then I was in trouble.

“So it was not a shock. We had a great campaign and I am disappointed for everybody involved and especially the two girls employed in my constituency office, but life goes on.

“Well done to Michael, Rose and Alan on their victories. They are a good Mayo team and I wish them well.”

Asked if she intended contesting a Senate seat, she said she will take time to consider the matter.

She hoped a stable government can be formed and that priority will be given to fixing the health service and helping the homeless.