Concern raised over Arlene Foster's 'private room' at Omagh count

by Gráinne Connolly

Arlene Foster caused quite a stir at the election counts on Friday as she isolated herself for most of the day. 

The 'private room' she stayed in was the subject that circulated the Omagh Leisure Complex. 

Mrs Foster remained in the room most of the day which stayed guarded by two men.

The only time she came out and addressed those in attendance was when she found out she was elected in stage 2 of the counts, when her colleague Maurice Morrow lost his place and when she was required to give a speech for gaining her seat for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. 

Arlene Foster and Maurice Morrow at the count centre- following Morrow's loss

Even still, Mrs Foster was reluctant to speak to media and tried to avoid them as much as she could. 

Arlene Foster attempting to avoid Media and interviews

However, the chairperson of the Fermanagh and Omagh district council has revealed she was unaware of any special treatment for the DUP. 

Reported in the Ulster Herald, Mary Garrity has said she found it inappropriate and unnecessary that the head of the DUP should get her own individual room. 

There is an expectation that all candidates should be treated equally in all constituencies and it is no different for Arlene Foster. 

Mrs Foster and her colleagues were later removed from the room, however, she still remained out of sight and segregated herself for the majority of the day, failing to join other candidates in the count room or the canteen.