A Co Monaghan widow, Mrs Margaret Gannon, who will celebrate her 102nd birthday on August 4th, believes she was the oldest voter in the country. Mrs Gannon, a patient at St Mary's Hospital, Castleblayney, had a nurse to bring her to a polling booth on Friday. She insisted, however, on marking her ballot papers without help.
"I always look forward to voting - it's a privilege," said Mrs Gannon, who spent several years in the US before returning to her home in Castleblayney. She was congratulated by the presiding officer, Mr Patrick Carragher, town clerk, who commented: "She's a wonderful lady - very alert and active for her years."