The first high profile casualty.
Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter has sensationally lost his seat in Dublin Rathdown as the General Election has claimed its first high profile casualty. Lucinda Creighton is currently facing a nervous wait also but Shatter’s defeat has been the most interesting one to date.
Green Party Catherine Martin and Fine Gael’s Josepha Madigan – Shatter’s running mate – also won a seat in the Rathdown constituency. Shatter was first elected to the Dáil in 1981, lost his seat in ’02 but returned to politics after being appointed as the Minister for Justice and Equality and later as the Minister for Defence in 2011.
Controversy has never been far away though especially following the Guerin report, two bugging scandals, his very public profile and Shattergate.
Here’s how an eventful evening for Alan Shatter unfolded.
The news itself.
Alan Shatter GONE. The Greens' deputy leader Catherine Martin takes the final seat in Dublin Rathdown, behind Ross and FG's Josepha Madigan
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) February 27, 2016
The interview where he didn’t agree with Fine Gael’s vote management approach.
Alan Shatter "didn't agree" with Fine Gael's vote management policy in Dublin Rathdown #dubrd #GE16https://t.co/VRS98GzRHg
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 27, 2016
There’s always some messers.
https://twitter.com/HollyShortall/status/703675631536640001
He didn’t get much sympathy.
Why is everyone so shocked about Alan Shatter? He was 5th in a 5 seater in 2011 and he writes weird poetry. I wouldn't vote for him either.
— Neil Cotter (@NewsNeil13) February 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/Clonrf/status/703676480681852929
Clearly, it isn't! 😂 A good days work! #GE16 #alanshatter pic.twitter.com/MziQRpRgDg
— Anthony O'Donovan 🇺🇦 (@anthonyodonovan) February 27, 2016
Alan Shatter has lost his seat! The man who told Israel "Ireland is still your friend". Well Alan Ireland isn't yours. On you go…. 👋🏼
— Rachel Lynch (@Rachel_Lynchx) February 27, 2016
Some people were on his side though.
Alan Shatter one of the brightest and most capable people ever to be in Dail Eireann…his loss is actually the nation's #ge16
— Kieran Sheahan (@_KieranSheahan) February 27, 2016
To be fair, it looks more Alan Shatter was a casualty of FG's vote management strategy, which has worked very well in other places
— Abie Philbin Bowman (@AbiePB) February 27, 2016
He did get a few suggestions for a potential future profession.
Good news for fans of erotic fiction, as Alan Shatter's diary is cleared #GE16
— Stephen Murphy (@SMurphyTV) February 27, 2016
Aw shit. Alan Shatter's lost his seat!
More books‽ God help us!#GE16
— Eamon Lowe (@EamonLowe) February 27, 2016
Someone find Alan Shatter a job before he goes back writing novels. #vomit #GE16 #dirty
— Cormac Healy (@beefhealy) February 27, 2016
At least Alan Shatter will have more time to focus on his writing #ge16
— PrincessOfSour (@PrincessOfSour) February 27, 2016
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