• Bobby’s sister Marcella and mother Rosaleen Sands in Enniskillen following the announcement of the by-election result
On Thursday, 9 April 1981, Bobby Sands was elected MP for the constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Sands polled 30,492 votes against unionist candidate Harry West’s 29,046. There were only 3,280 spoilt, highlighting the failure of the SDLP’s and Austin Currie’s attempts to sabotage the campaign.
The count, held in Enniskillen Technical College, had attracted crowds of loyalists in a triumphalist mood, no doubt believing the almost-blanket media assertion that Sands had no chance. However, the realisation set in during the course of the count that Bobby Sands would almost certainly be elected. There was a high turnout and low levels of spoilt votes from SDLP strongholds, both factors that were favourable to Bobby Sands. Slowly the loyalists melted away.
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FRANCES Marina ‘Rene’ Perry (nee Power) sadly passed away peacefully in the County Care Home on December 1. Born on October 4, 1934, Rene was one of four daughters and two brothers born to James and Rebecca Power. She was always very proud to call herself a genuine ‘townie’, having been born between the bridges in Paget Square. A former pupil of Enniskillen Model Primary School and Enniskillen Technical College, she then took employment in the Taylor Woods factory, aged 16. Rene had also enjoyed her time in the Girl Guides, Brownies, and St. John s Ambulance service. One of her greatest loves was attending the Enniskillen Town Hhall Dances with her sister Iris, and both their dance cards were always full.