Fine Gael Deputy Leader and Children’s Minister Dr James Reilly has lost his seat in Dublin Fingal.
Dr. Reilly’s Sinn Féin rival Louise O’Reilly ousted the 60-year-old, clinching the spot on the tenth count. Reacting to his loss on RTÉ, Reilly said:
“I suppose now the Taoiseach has a job to do, to be focused on. He’s not going to be thinking about my loss or Alan’s [Shatter] loss. He has to get this country back on track,” he said.
Reaction has been mixed:
Just told my wife @Corklollipop (an oncology nurse) James Reilly has been eliminated.
Her response “brilliant”#ge16 #health
— Ken Curtin (@kencurtin) February 28, 2016
Commiserations to James Reilly who has lost out. Got a lot of adverse reaction in Health but was a very competent Children’s Minister #GE16
— Gareth Noble (@GarNob) February 28, 2016
James Reilly was a good Minister for the youth sector. Best of luck to him.#GE16
— Ian Power (@powerian) February 28, 2016
James Reilly’s analogy of FG’s governance is excellent – ‘The operation was a success but the patient is still in a lot of pain.’
— Her Name Is Noëlle (@noelle_murph1) February 28, 2016
James Reilly also gone the way of the dodo and Ferris. Scary for people up there if he’s as good a doctor as he was a minister #GE16
— Charlie Melia (@charleymelia) February 28, 2016
More on #GE16 as we have it…
