Well-known Monaghan community worker and Fianna Fáil candidate in the local elections, Brian Clerkin, says he "won't be going anywhere" following his defeat. "Beano", as he is known by all his friends in Monaghan Town, told Northern Sound he was proud of the 699 first preference votes he received from voters in his municipal district.
It was not Brian Clerkin's first time on the campaign trail as he's worked in Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher's office for the past eight years. It wasn't meant to be for the popular Monaghan Town candidate who splits his time between political and community work at the Monaghan Harps hurling club, local festivals, NYP Garda Youth Diversion project, among others.
He told Northern Sound he enjoyed the campaign experience, will always work for his community and may be back to fight another election: "I really enjoyed it," Beano said of his election run, "I thought it was really rewarding to engage with people and hear their issues and again, it was a little bit different with my own name on the ticket but, I'd like to continue working in the community for the people and I won't be going anywhere just yet."
