Meg elected new president in SU elections

Megan O’Riordan has been elected as DCU Students’ Union president in one of the closest presidential campaigns in years beating both David Doyle and Ciaran Hughes.

During the first night’s count, in which a number of votes were lost, Hughes was eliminated with 570 votes to O’Riordan’s 652 and Doyle’s 668. The quota was 946 votes.

When Hughes’ votes were redistributed O’Riordan gained 284 votes, while Doyle gained 192. O’Riordan was elected with 936 votes against Doyle’s 860 votes.

A recount called by David Doyle the next day just sealed the win for her.

Once again Hughes left the race first with 573 votes. O’Riordan then picked up 298 votes with Doyle picking up 202. The final tally was O’Riordan 968, Doyle 880. The quota was 944 votes.

Speaking after she was elected, O’Riordan told the College View that she was “delighted, absolutely delighted” to become the new SU president, taking over from current president Alan Keegan.

The role of deputy president saw one of the biggest wins in DCU election history, with Cillian Hughes taking over 65% of the vote on the first count. This year’s education and welfare officer, John Murphy, was only elected by six votes.

Hughes was elected with 1,230 votes against Leeanne Heneghan’s 500 votes and John Devine’s 141 votes. Heneghan, who ran for the same position last year, polled better then when she got 596 votes.

The final sabbatical position, vice president, saw Colin Oliver elected with 1,082 votes taking over from current vice president Melanie Farrell. His rival, Maeve McQuillan got 825 votes.

Other results saw Brian McDonald elected clubs and socs officer and Khaula Bhutta made equality officer.