Ming the MEP attributes success to Facebook and physical fitness

Cannabis campaigner Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan is on his way from Dáil Éireann to Brussels by virtue of a sensational win in the Midlands North-West constituency.

Dapper, though tie-less, in a brown suit, the MEP to-be was in a smiling and relaxed mood when he visited the Euro count centre in Castlebar, Co Mayo yesterday afternoon.

He stopped to chat with anti-austerity protesters at the entrance to the ballroom where the count was taking place, in marked contrast to the arrival of Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who had earlier entered by another door in order to avoid the strident activists.

“I couldn’t say I’m surprised by the 18% or 19% support,” Mr Flanagan told reporters.

But he added: “I have been canvassing on and off for about 17 years and I never got a reaction like the one I got during this campaign.

“For example, when I got out of the car in Cavan it took me about two and a half hours to get 60 or 70 yards.

“I travelled 8,000 miles in this campaign. I did all 15 counties on at least two occasions.”

The Castlerea, Co Roscommon- based Brussels incumbent revealed that social media such as Twitter and Facebook were an important ally during his all-conquering Euro campaign.

Physical fitness was also a factor in his election campaign.

“I ran numerous 10ks in recent times in order to keep fit,” Mr Flanagan revealed.

The overall results of the first count for the sprawling Midlands North West constituency are not expected until later.

It is clear, however, that sitting MEP Mairead McGuinness is a dead cert to regain her seat, with Matt Carthy (Sinn Féin) also tipped to succeed.

Independent MEP Marian Harkin is expected to retain her seat but a major question mark hangs over the chances of outgoing MEPs Pat ‘Cope’ Gallagher (FF) and Jim Higgins (FG).

Taoiseach Enda Kenny effectively conceded yesterday that the Mayo veteran wouldn’t make it back to Europe and praised his contribution to politics in Ireland and abroad in a career which has spanned more than 30 years.

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