SINN Féin’s Pat Doherty declined to say if he would seek a fifth term as West Tyrone MP in several years time following his latest triumph.
Shouts of “easy, easy” greeted the 69-year-old as he coasted to victory in the early hours of yesterday with 16,807 votes.
But Mr Doherty remained tight-lipped when asked whether he planned to further extend his 14 years as MP for the constituency of West Tyrone.
“I’m fortunate that I have good health, but let’s deal with that in the future,” said the Glasgow-born father of five, who has held the seat since 2001.
A roar of appreciation erupted from the party faithful as Sinn Féin’s unsurprising win was confirmed, forcing the returning officer to read the final tally twice.
Standing at a podium in the foyer of Omagh Leisure Centre, Mr Doherty said: “Happiness is winning and re-winning West Tyrone.
“West Tyrone is a republican constituency and we are proud that it’s a republican constituency.”
He added that he believed the low vote the Conservative candidate received was “an indication of what West Tyrone thinks of austerity”.
The majority of the crowd quickly dispersed as the other candidates in turn gave their closing speeches.
Second-placed candidate Tom Buchanan of the DUP, who polled 6,747, described as “nonsense” Mr Doherty’s description of the constituency.
The West Tyrone MLA said the majority of people “didn’t vote for republicanism”.
SDLP candidate Daniel McCrossan received 6,444 votes, increasing the 5,212 votes attained by MLA Joe Byrne in 2010.
The 26-year-old said he was “ecstatic”, saying it suggested Sinn Féin would not have enough support for four MLAs in the constituency in assembly elections next year.
The UUP’s Ross Hussey said he was pleased to have increased his tally by over 1,000 to 6,144 votes.
Alliance candidate Stephen Donnelly received 869 votes and Ciaran McClean of the Green Party polled 780.
Barry Brown from Cista (Cannabis is Safer than Alcohol), which campaigned for the drug’s legalisation, received 528 votes.
London-based Conservative candidate Claire-Louise Leyland received 169 votes.
Independent Susan-Anne White – who wants rock music banned, gay people jailed and feminism abolished – finished in last place with 166 votes.
The controversial candidate was seen sitting along the rows of seats in the count hall as the votes were sorted, but left before the final result was announced.
Turnout dropped slightly by about 0.4 per cent from the 2010 general election to 61 per cent.
Amid a larger field of candidates, Mr Doherty’s vote fell by more than 1,200 votes compared to 2010 and his vote share dropped by about five per cent to 43 per cent.
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Name Party Votes % +/-
Pat Doherty SF 16,807 43.5 -4.9
Tom Buchanan DUP 6,747 17.5 -2.3
Daniel McCrossan SDLP 6,444 16.7 +2.7
Ross Hussey UUP 6,144 15.9 +1.7
Stephen Donnelly Alliance 869 2.2 -0.1
Ciaran McClean Green 780 2.0 n/a
Barry Brown Cista 528 1.4 n/a
Claire-Louise Leyland Con 169 0.4 n/a
Susan-Anne White Ind 166 0.4 n/a
Majority: 10,058 Turnout: 61%
