Election 2014 Live Update

The Clare Champion: Live coverage of the local election count.

The count is over in County Clare.

Clare County Council has 28 members elected for the new term.

West Clare (4FF 2NP 2FG): Christy Curtin (NP); Richard Nagle (FF); Bill Slattery (FG); Ian Lynch (NP); Michael Hillery (FF), PJ Kelly (FF), Bill Chambers (FF) and Gabriel Keating (FG).

Shannon (2FF 2NP 1FG 1SF): Cathal Crowe (FF); John Crowe (FG); Gerry Flynn (NP); Mike McKee (SF); PJ Ryan (NP) and Pat McMahon (FF).

Killaloe (3FF 2FG 1NP): Joe Cooney (FG), Pat Hayes (FF), Michael Begley (NP), Tony O’Brien (FF), Pat Burke (FG), Alan O’Callaghan (FF)

Ennis (3FG 3FF 2NP): James Breen (NP), Johnny Flynn (FG), Pat Daly (FF), Ann Norton (NP), Tom McNamara (FF), Mary Howard (FG), Paul Murphy (FG); Clare Colleran Molloy (FF).

 

 

 9:08pm:

Oliver Garry was the last candidate to lose out tonight, coming up short in the final count.  Speaking shortly after his elimination he acknowledged it was a tough moment. “It’s a disappointing day, last night was disappointing too, I started off very low in the tallies. There were 240 votes that weren’t accounted for. I came up today, I thought I would make it but obviously I didn’t. Gabriel Keating got a good transfer from Pat Keane and I think that’s what made the difference.”

He felt he suffered due to an anti-government backlash. “On the doorsteps I did get a lot of problems, we did get a backlash there. Also the fact that there were two candidates in Kilrush did upset my vote, but this is life, this is politics and we’ve gone through worse.”

 

8.46pm:

Michael Hillery (FF), PJ Kelly (FF), Bill Chambers (FF) and Gabriel Keating (FG) are all elected without reaching quota.

Oliver Garry of Fine Gael has lost his seat on Clare County Council.

 

8.46pm:

West Clare Eleventh Count

Bill Chambers, FF (+25) 1,619

Oliver Garry, FG (+17) 1,524

Michael Hillery, FF (+19) 1,883

Gabriel Keating, FG (+21) 1,590

PJ Kelly, FF (+14) 1,621

 

 8.40pm:

Newly elected West Clare Indepdent county councillor Ian Lynch was met, shortly after his election, with a handshake from FG party strategist Jim McMahon. Fine Gael rejected Lynch at their party convention on November 8 and the then FG town councillor opted to run in the local election as an Independent candidate.

“It’s a gain for west Clare. That’s the most important thing. I put myself forward as an Independent and I have a lot of work to do now,” Lynch said.

 

“I went into Kilrush Town Council in 2009 and I worked hard for five years to make sure I was ready for this battle. That came off today. It was such a hard battle. There was nine sitting councillors and you had to get two out to get one in,” he added before revealing that the pressure was such he thought he may have been pregnant and not his girlfriend.

“The emotions over the last week were crazy. I wasn’t sure who was pregnant, me or Rene. The people in Kilrush wanted something but I was quite surprised and relieved at the vote I got in rural areas,” he said.

 

8.23pm:

Eleventh count under way in West Clare.

Ian Lynch’s surplus of 141 votes is being distributed.

 

8.21pm:

Ian Lynch (NP) elected.

West Clare Tenth Count

Bill Chambers, FF (+84) 1,594

Oliver Garry, FG (+43) 1,507

Michael Hillery, FF (+142) 1,864

Gabriel Keating, FG (+ 64) 1,569

PJ Kelly, FF (+ 47) 1,607

Ian Lynch, NP (+ 300) 2,037 (Elected)

8.10pm:

Sinn Féin’s Noeleen Moran has not ruled out the prospect of running in the next general election. The Ballyvaughan woman was eliminated in the ninth count in the west Clare constituency.

“That would be up to the party but why not? We’ll keep it going. We weren’t far away today. I think people want change so we have to deliver on that. I think people are fed up with the way the system is gone and we need to bring about change. We’re committed to that and that’s what we’re still committed to doing,” the first time candidate said.

“We’re extremely proud of Mike McKee as well today because he really delivered for us. We’re delighted to have one seat in Clare and we weren’t far away with the second. It was a fantastic experience and I’m delighted I got the opportunity to meet so many people in Clare. I don’t think that’s something that comes around every day and I don’t take it for granted. It was a great privilege for me,” Noeleen Moran added.

7.45pm:

Noeleen Moran from Sinn Fein has been eliminated.

West Clare Ninth Count

Bill Chambers, FF (+256 ) 1,510

Oliver Garry, FG (+12) 1,464

Michael Hillery, FF (+119) 1,722

Gabriel Keating, FG (+302 ) 1,505

PJ Kelly, FF (+97) 1,560

Ian Lynch, NP (+125) 1,737

Noeleen Moran, SF (+52) 1,350 (Eliminated)

7.30pm:

Councillor Pat Keane’s 23 years stint as a west Clare Fianna Fáil county councillor came to an end at the eighth count on Sunday evening. However the Kilkee-based councillor said that he is not overly disappointed.

“I’ve had a great run at it and I’d like to thank the people of west Clare for their great support down through the years. The fact that the two of us (Gabriel Keating) were running and the vote is divided, it’s very difficult to take a seat,” he said.

The Kilbaha native acknowledged that the peninsula may be left without a councillor as Councillor Gabriel Keating was also struggling to retain his seat.

“It’s very likely. Noeleen Moran is still in there and if she gets the seat, that’s Bill Chambers gone as well,” he said.

Pat Keane is now unlikely to contest another election and is set to retire from public life.

“Probably at this stage. I don’t think I’ll be going back again,” he said.

 

7.25pm:

In West Clare, the only electoral area which hasn’t a final result, outgoing councillor Pat Keane’s votes are being redistributed. The quota is 1,896. A result of the ninth count is due shortly.

 

7.19pm:

There are now seven candidates left in the race for the remaining five West Clare seats.

 

7.13pm:

West Clare Eighth Count

Bill Chambers, FF (+ 2) 1,254

Oliver Garry, FG (+52) 1,452

Michael Hillery, FF (+ 13) 1,603

Pat Keane, FF (+5) 1,141-Eliminated

Gabriel Keating, FG (+48) 1,208

PJ Kelly, FF (+2) 1,463

Ian Lynch, NP (+ 3) 1,612

Noeleen Moran, SF ( + 25) 1,298

Outgoing councillor Pat Keane is now eliminated.

 

7.07pm:

West Clare Count 8 sees sitting councillor Pat Keane eliminated.

 

6.49pm:

Former Fine Gael Town Councillor, Ian Lynch seems to be in a strong position to take a seat in West Clare. Already, questions are being asked as to why he wasn’t selected to represent Fine Gael and, instead, had to run as an independent candidate. West Clare could have a scenario where Kilrush-based Ian Lynch will be the most westerly member in the new authority, if Patrick Keane, Kilkee and Gabriel Keating, Cross loss out.

 

6.40pm:

West Clare Seventh Count

Bill Chambers, FF (+ 8) 1,252

Oliver Garry, FG (+8) 1,400

Michael Hillery, FF (+ 9) 1,560

Pat Keane, FF (+16) 1,136

Gabriel Keating, FG (+11) 1,155

PJ Kelly, FF (+19) 1,461

Ian Lynch, NP (+ 1 ) 1,609

Noeleen Moran, SF ( + 20) 1,273

 

6.36pm:

After Sinn Féin’s Mike McKee won a seat in the Shannon Municipal District, party spokesman Finbarr Mac Gabhann said it was a landmark moment. “It was a great result, we had to wait a good few hours but it was well worth it.”

He said Sinn Féin are doing well all over the country. “The latest figures I saw show we have 122 seats and when you consider we went out on something like 54 we’ve more than doubled our number. We’re heading to about 17% of the poll compared to around 7% the last time so that’s a massive increase as well.”

 

6.18pm:

Clare Sinn Féin representative, Finbarr Mac Gabhann said: “Sinn Féin still have a chance for a seat in West Clare, but everything has to fall right for us”.

 

6.15pm:

West Clare Sixth Count

Sitting Councillors Richard Nagle (FF) and Bill Slattery (FG) are deemed elected.

Bill Chambers, FF (32) 1,244

Oliver Garry, FG (+83) 1,392

Michael Hillery, FF (+102) 1,551

Pat Keane, FF (+55) 1,120

Gabriel Keating, FG (+66) 1,144

PJ Kelly, FF (+26) 1,442

Ian Lynch, NP (+29 ) 1,608

Noeleen Moran, SF ( + 185) 1,253

Richard Nagle, FF (+ 185) 2,049

Bill Slattery, FG (+212) 2,046

 

5.45pm:

There were emotional scenes in the count centre in Clare when the Ennis recount was completed and Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) was elected. Ms Colleran Molloy was up against another Quin candidate Ger O’Halloran (FG) for the final seat. She eventually won after 20 counts and a recount.

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5.32pm:

Returning officer Michael McNamara has announced that a small number of errors were found in the West Clare recount but did not materially influence the result. As a result Gerard Kennedy has been eliminated from the race.

5:21pm:

One of the most significant results of today was the election of Sinn Féin’s Mike McKee in the Shannon Municipal District on the tenth count.
“That was a tough one” he said with some relief, seconds after being elected. “It’s been a long hard struggle, but absolutely well worth it. We’re just delighted that we’ve taken a seat in Clare for the first time in many years, how many years I don’t know. We’ve had a great team working with us, we put our policies to the people and they accepted them.”

He said until recently he would have believed Sinn Féin winning a County Council seat in the Banner wasn’t realistic. “I never thought it was possible, I ran once before and got 446 votes and I thought that was the end of it. ”
Sinn Féín are now having a much easier time canvassing, he added. “The recepiton was absolutely tremendous both for ourselves and our European candidate. You could see that people were against austerity and it was appropriate that transfers from the Anti Austerity Alliance got us over the line.”

5.08pm:

Three women have now been elected to Clare County Council, all in the Ennis electoral area. The outgoing council had just one female representative, Patricia McCarthy, now retired.

 

5.05pm:

Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) has taken the final Ennis seat.

Elected in Ennis: James Breen, Johnny Flynn, Pat Daly, Ann Norton, Tom McNamara, Mary Howard, Paul Murphy Clare Colleran Molloy.

 

4.50pm:

Ennis recount complete. Ger O’Halloran (FG) and Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) both from Quin are fighting for the last seat.

 

4.45pm:

West Clare fifth count (Recount confirmed)

Bill Chambers, FF (+76) 1,212

Oliver Garry, FG (+70) 1,309

Michael Hillery, FF (+9) 1,449

Pat Keane, FF (+38) 1,063

Gabriel Keating, FG (+87) 1,078

PJ Kelly, FF (+18) 1,416

Gerard Kennedy, FG (+16) 1,057

Ian Lynch, NP (+226) 1,579

Noeleen Moran, SF (+37) 1,156

Richard Nagle, FF (+4) 1,864

Bill Slattery, FG (+42) 1,834

 

4.37pm:

A recount will take place in the West Clare area.

 

4.25pm:

Fine Gael’s Gerard Kennedy has been eliminated in the West Clare constituency but is considering a recount after losing out by only six votes.

John Crowe (FG), Gerry Flynn (Ind), Mike McKee (SF), PJ Ryan (Ind) and Pat McMahon (FF) have been elected to the Shannon Electoral Area following the 10th count. Cathal Crowe (FF) topped the poll and was elected on the first count. All seats in the Shannon area are now filled.

Mike McKee is the first Sinn Féin candidate to be elected on to Clare County Council since the 1960s.

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4.15pm:

Shannon tenth count

Crowe (FG) +172 1,615

Flynn (Ind) +34 1,510

McKee (SF) +34 1,192

Ryan (Ind) +317 1,389

McMahon (FF) +168 1,356

McLoughlin (FG) +44 1,060

 

3.48pm:

The leadership of the Labour party is in question and at the count centre today the party’s Clare TD  Michael McNamara said those on the front bench need to up their game dramatically or to go. “We need our leaders to show leadership now or else get off the field and clear the way for somebody who will show leadership.”

The party will have no representative on Clare County Council for the next five years. “It’s a very, very bad day for the Labour party in Clare and across the country,” he added.

He said that Labour has to figure out why it is in Government; “Leadership is required anyway for starters and we have to figure out a strategy of what it is we want to achieve in government and what we can achieve in the next two years. As I said to The Clare Champion before, saying this or that wouldn’t have happened or would have been worse simply won’t cut it. It’s deluded to think that would be enough. If we’re just there to make up the numbers lets get out of Government and have a general election.”

 

3.45pm:

Defeated Shannon electoral area Fianna Fáil candidate Pat O’Gorman has vowed never to stand for county council election again, following his elimination after the ninth count.

“I definitely will not be running again for Clare County Council. I’m absolutely gutted. This is my third time being beaten by a short (56) margin. I was beaten by six votes back in 2004 and a short margin the last time. I think my political career has come to a fairly abrupt end,” the Cratloe man confirmed.

He said that it wasn’t an entirely emotional decision.

“It’s emotional in certain ways but it’s not an emotional response. I thought long and hard about going this time to be honest but people came in behind me and said they’d support me. I worked two to three times harder in this election than I did in previous elections. We started canvassing in the last weekend in January and we never missed a weekend or a week from that day to this,” he revealed.

3.33pm:

West Clare fourth count

Bill Chambers (FF) (+4) 1,136

Oliver Garry (FG) (+3) 123

Michael Hillery (FF) (+13) 1440

Patrick Keane (FF) (+1) (1,025)

Gabriel Keating (FG) (+3) 991

PJ Kelly (FF) (+3) 1,398

Gerard Kennedy (FG) (+1) 1,042

Ian Lynch (NP) (+4) 1,353

Marian McMahon Jones (FG) (+1) 663

Noeleen Moran (SF) (+2) 1,119

Richard Nagle (FF) (+3) 1,860

Bill Slattery (FG) (+4) 1,792.

No candidate reached the quota so Marian McMahon Jones was eliminated and her votes will be distributed.

 

3.24pm:

Shannon 9th count

John Crowe, FG, (+42) 1443

Gerry Flynn, Independent, (+96) 1471
Mike McKee (SF), (+202) 1153
Sean McLoughlin, FG, (19) 1016
Pat McMahon, FF, (+27) 1188
Pat O’Gorman, FF, (+27) 960
PJ Ryan, Ind, (+73) 1072

No one was elected so Fianna Fáil’s Pat O’Gorman, a former mayor of Clare has been eliminated. Significantly, Mike McKee picked up a lot of transfers there, overtaking Sean McLoughlin.

3.16pm:

Ennis 20th count results

On these results each of the candidates bar Ger O’Halloran would have been elected without reaching the quota. The recount, which has been confirmed should take about two hours.

Clare Colleran Molloy, FF, (+20)) 999

Mary Howard, FG, (+14) 1357

Tom McNamara, FF, (+8) 1379

Paul Murphy, FG, (+6) 1179

Ger O’Halloran, FG, (+6) 996

3.15pm:

Fine Gael candidate Ger O’Halloran has said that he had no choice but to look for a recount having lost out to Clare Colleran Molloy by just three votes, for the last seat in the Ennis area.

“It was probably flagged a number of minutes ago by either side. It was that marginal. But we’ll let it lie as it will after this,” he said.

“My make up is that’s an all or nothing game with me and I suppose it was intensfied by the two candidates that are left looking for the final seat. Three votes is very hard to take but it is what it is,” he added.

15:06 Returning Officer Michael McNamara announced that after 20 counts four candidates; Tom McNamara, Mary Howard, Paul Murphy and Clare Colleran Molloy had been elected without reaching the quota. However, Ger O’Halloran was just three votes behind Clare Colleran Molloy and he sought the recount. We expect to have some comment from Mr O’Halloran very shortly.

 

15:05: BREAKING- A complete recount has been ordered in Ennis.

3pm:

NEW Ennis Independent county councillor Anne Norton has told The Clare Champion that difficult issues she has had to face have helped to steel her for electoral battle.

“What have I have done for the last number of years is because I had to do it, I had no choice. I have a 16 year old daughter, who wouldn’t be where she is today only for I have stood up and fought day and night. I’m so delighted that there is a service in this county that I have worked very hard, with other parents, to help the children that need it the most,” the newly elected county councillor said.

She insists that she would not have stood for election had she not had to fight for services in the county.

“Absolutely not. You look back over my years, I’ve gone through an awful lot of different types of things in my own life and I’ve learned from everything. Some of them haven’t been very good, some of them have been fantastic. We tried to hit every door in the Ennis Electoral Area. There were one or two roads, that due to the weather, we missed out on but I had a team of 20 with me for the last six or seven weeks. We went out and made sure that I got to meet people,” Councillor Norton explained.

 

2:45pm:

Shannon 8th Count

No one was elected on this count, Gerry Flynn and John Crowe are closest.

John Crowe, FG, (+97) 1401
Gerry Flynn, Independent, (+32) 1375
David Houlihan, AAA, (+159) 863
Mike McKee (SF), (+34) 951
Sean McLoughlin, FG, (42) 997
Pat McMahon, FF, (+27) 1161
Pat O’Gorman, FF, (+44) 933
PJ Ryan, Ind, (+26) 999

Non transferable votes 21. David Houlihan has been eliminated.

2.45pm:

Ennis Municipial District county councillor Pat Daly has expressed his satisfaction at retaining his seat. It was his fourth election success.

“I’m delighted. It was tough with 27 candidates. None of us knew who was going to be elected. It was a difficult election. I worked hard for the town of Ennis and the hinterland. It’s my fourth election getting elected.I have a lot of experience working with Tony Killeen for 18 years and as a councillor for 15 years. I think it paid off today,” he said.

2.20 pm:

West Clare Third Count

Councillors Richard Nagle and Bill Slattery are edging closer to the quota of 1,896.

Bill Chambers (FF) (+8) 1,132 Oliver Garry (FG) (+7) 1236 Michael Hillery (FF) (+14) 1427 Patrick Keane (FF) (+35) (1,024) Gabriel Keating (FG) (+31) 988 PJ Kelly (FF) (+5) 1,395 Gerard Kennedy (FG) (+27) 1,041 Ian Lynch (Ind) (+79) 1,349 Marian McMahon Jones (FG) (+18) 662 Noeleen Moran (SF) (+81) 1,117 Richard Nagle (FF) (+21) 1,857 Bill Slattery (FG) (+16) 1,788.

 

Clare Colleran Molloy, FF, (+34) 979 , Mary Howard, FG, (+27) 1,343 Tom McNamara, FF (+11) 1371 , Paul Murphy (FG) (+6) 1, 173, Ger O’Halloran FG (5) 990.

There are now only 11 votes between two Quin candidates – Clare Colleran Molloy and Ger O’Halloran.

Ann Norton’s surplus of 54 votes is now being distributed. This could prove crucial.

The 18th Ennis count is just over, Pat Daly and Ann Norton have been elected. The Daly surplus is being distributed. Clare Colleran Molloy, FF, (+52) 945 Pat Daly, FF, (+ 161) 1579 Mary Howard, FG, (+78) 1316 Tom McNamara, FF (+38) 1360 Ann Norton, Ind, (+173) 1484 Ger O’Halloran FG (+27) 985

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1:27pm Pascal Fitzgerald is out following the recount. The gap between himself and David Houlihan actually increased to six.

1:08pm Pascal Fitzgerald says he would have been left questioning himself afterwards if he hadn’t sought the recount. “We’ve called a full recount, it’s a narrow margin, two votes. If I didn’t look for it I’d be asking myself afterwards why I hadn’t, two votes could appear from somewhere but if they don’t they don’t.” He compared his position to that of an expectant father. “A while ago I was going home, it’s nerve wrecking, it’s like when you’re in a maternity ward waiting for someone to have a baby. ”

12:53pm The results of the first West Clare count has just been announced and Independent Christy Curtin has been elected with 1,938 votes, 42 above the quota. Richard Nagle is 61 votes from the quota. Bill Slattery is 127 shy of it, while new SF candidate Noeleen Moran has shown very well with 1,023 votes. There were 17,271 votes, 215 of which were invalid. The quota is 1896 and 16 candidates entered the race for eight seats.

Full result as follows; Bill Chambers (FF) 1113 Christy Curtin (Ind) 1938 Jackie Dale (Ind) 88 Joseph Enright (Ind) 90 Oliver Garry (FG) 1224 Kevin Heapes (Green) 398 Michael Hillery (FF) 1408 Patrick Keane (FF) (985) Gabriel Keating (FG) 952 PJ Kelly (FF) 1383 Gerard Kennedy (FG) 1010 Ian Lynch (Ind) 1218 Marian McMahon Jones (FG) 622 Noeleen Moran (SF) 1023 Richard Nagle (FF) 1835 Bill Slattery (FG) 1769

12.45pm It has been a busy few minutes for Shannon area candidate Paschal Fitzgerald. Minutes after calling for a radical overhaul of the Labour party front bench he has sought and been granted a full recount. Just two votes separated the sitting councillor (702) from David Houlihan (704) when he was eliminated on the seventh count.

“My head went on the block. It got chopped off,” he said before putting it back in place and seeking a recount. “It’s time for the Labour party to make some changes. I really think the front bench of the Labour party should stand up and go back to the back bench,” Councillor Fitzgerald suggested before calling for party leader Eamon Gilmore to consider his position.

“You see Eamon Gilmore on TV saying he’s staying on as leader. No, it’s time to listen to the people on the ground. Labour got hit. If he can’t listen to that, he shouldn’t be the leader. I have no problem saying that,” the Shannon area Labour candidate added.

12:37pm Ennis 17th Count

Clare Colleran Molloy, FF, (+41) 892 Pat Daly, FF, (+ 51) 1418 Mary Howard, FG, (+101) 1238 Tom McNamara, FF (+23) 1322 Paul Murphy, FG (+44) 1127 Frankie Neylon, Ind, (+71) 881 Ann Norton, Ind, (+87) 1301 Ger O’Halloran (+21) 958 There were 232 non transferable votes. No one was elected and Frankie Neylon was eliminated. Pat Daly is very close to taking the next seat and needs just 12 votes to do so.  

12:29 BREAKING: Pascal Fitzgerald has requested a full recount in the Shannon Electoral Area and it is to begin shortly. He was only two votes shy of staying in the race after the last count. 

12:23 Sixmilebridge based FG Councillor John Crowe is well on course to retain his seat and he told The Champion he was delighted with his 1,219 number ones in a redrawn electoral area.

“It was a tough campaign but it’s great to be coming out at the right side of it. “The change of the area made it very difficult altogether. I lost half my parish, over 750 votes went there so I had a lot to make up and I was going into a new area down in Westbury and Shannon Banks. I’m absolutely thrilled with my first preference of over 1,200 and I think it was a great endorsement.”

12:15 Defeated Clarecastle FF Ennis electoral area candidate Bernard ‘Bomber’ Hanrahan has expressed surprise at his elimination after 14 counts.

“It wasn’t something that I expected. The way things started out for me in Clarecastle I thought that I was okay but when you see 800 votes going out of your village, you know your in trouble. 1,612 people voted in Clarecastle, out of that Paul Murphy and I only got 800 votes. Everyone of the 27 candidates got a vote in Clarecastle,” he told The Clare Champion.

“That sends a clear message to me that the loyalty to local candidates isn’t there anymore. The vast majority of people in Clarecastle would be outsiders, they wouldn’t be local people, they wouldn’t be Clarecastle people. But when you’re living in a village you’d think they’d go to the local man,” the former Councillor blasted.

12:05 Shannon 7th Count

No one elected again and Pascal Fitzgerald (Lab)has been eliminated, he was two votes behind Anti Austerity Alliance David Houlihan who secured 228 votes from 423 available from his running mate Seonaidh Ni Shiomoin.

John Crowe (FG) (+10) 1,304 Paschal Fitzgerald (Lab) (+10) 702 Gerry Flynn (NP) (+53) 1,343 David Houlihan (AAA) (+228) 704 Mike McKee (SF) (+28) 917 Sean McLoughlin (FG) (+16) 955 Pat McMahon (FF) (+4) 1,134 Pat O’Gorman (FF)  (+4) 889 PJ Ryan (NP) (+24) 973

 

12:00 While there is still a long way to go it looks as if Pat Daly (FF), Tom McNamara (FF) and Ann Norton (NP) are looking good. The gap between Norton and Ger O’Halloran (FG) has widened from 106 votes after count nine to 287 votes now.  

11:54 Ennis 16th Count No one elected in this count so Labour’s Dermot Hayes has been eliminated, on 671 votes. There will be no Labour seat in Ennis. Just two votes separated Hayes and Frankie Neylon after this count, but Neylon hung on. Clare Colleran Molloy, FF, (+36) 851 Pat Daly, FF, (+ 80) 1,367 Dermot Hayes, Lab, (+ 29) 671 Mary Howard, FG, (+65) 1137 Tom McNamara, FF (+34) 1299 Paul Murphy, FG (+26) 1087 Frankie Neylon, Ind, (+170) 810 Ann Norton, Ind, (+71) 1,224 Ger O’Halloran, FG (+4) 937 119 votes were non transferrable.

11:37 While he hasn’t been eliminated yet, it seems certain that Clare’s only outgoing Labour County Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald is going to lose the seat he has held for the last decade.

11:31 Shannon sixth count John Crowe (FG) (+14) 1,294 Paschal Fitzgerald (Lab) (+1) 692 Gerry Flynn (NP) (+65) 1,290 David Houlihan (AAA) (+7) 476 Mike McKee (SF) (+33) 889 Sean McLoughlin (FG) (+49) 939 Pat McMahon (FF) (+58) 1,130 Seonaidh Ni Shiomoin (AAA) (+25) 423 Pat O’Gorman (FF)  (+63) 885 PJ Ryan (NP) (+39) 949 Non transferable votes 38. Seonaidh Ni Shiomoin has now been eliminated on 423 votes.

11:22am  Ennis Fifteenth Count

Clare Colleran Molloy, FF, (+68) 815 Pat Daly, FF, (+ 114) 1,287 Michael Guifoyle, Ind, (+27) 630 Dermot Hayes, Lab, (+ 17) 642 Mary Howard, FG, (+38) 1072 Tom McNamara, FF (+42) 1265 Paul Murphy, FG (+133) 1061 Frankie Neylon, Ind, (+137) 640 Ann Norton, Ind, (+24) 1,153 Ger O’Halloran, FG (+15) 933 Michael Guilfoyle has now been eliminated and his votes will be distributed.

 

10:58 First time Fianna Fáil Shannon candidate Louise Roche McNamara said she was disappointed with her showing, moments after she was eliminated. “I was disappointed with the performance, as a first time candidate I was hoping to do a little bit better. ” She said there wasn’t much anti Fianna Fáil sentiment on the canvass. “We were favourably received, people engaged with us, they listened to us but the vote just didn’t turn out.” Meanwhile FG’s Sean McLoughlin feels it will be between himself and FG’s Mike McKee for the final Shannon seat. “It’s down now to transfers and I feel that whichever Shannon candidate will probably put in the other Shannon candidate.”

10:42 Shannon Fifth Count

John Crowe (FG) (+4) 1,280 Paschal Fitzgerald (Lab) (+6) 691 Gerry Flynn (NP) (+85) 1,225 David Houlihan (AAA) (+9) 469 Mike McKee (SF) (+40) 856 Sean McLoughlin (FG) (+43) 890 Pat McMahon (FF) (+5) 1,072 Seonaidh Ni Shiomoin (AAA) (+23) 398 Pat O’Gorman (FF)  (+3) 822 Louise Roche McNamara (FF) (+19) 392 PJ Ryan (NP) (+11) 910   Louise Roche McNamara has been eliminated and her votes will not be counted.  The quota is 1510 and John Crowe is closest.

10:36  In advance of the first West Clare count,  veteran councillor Christy Curtin said he is quietly confident. “The early indications are positive but you never know, that’s the bottom line.” He said Joe Arkins will be missed from the local authority as will Brian Meaney.”He’s a big loss, was a good Mayor and a good councillor. Also Brian Meaney was a good contributor even though I often differed with him. Did he make the right decision politically? That’s another day’s work, the electorate thought differently.”

10:33am: Fourteenth Ennis count results have been announced. No one elected so Bernard Hanrahan is eliminated and his 579 votes will be distributed.

10.14 am: Shannon Fourth Count

John Crowe (FG) (+9) 1,276 Paschal Fitzgerald (Lab) (+40) 685 Gerry Flynn (NP) (+37) 1,140 David Houlihan (AAA) (+5) 460 Cathy McCafferty (NP) (+20) 279 Mike McKee (SF) (+15) 816 Sean McLoughlin (FG) (+54) 847 Pat McMahon (FF) (+12) 1,067 Seonaidh Ni Shiomoin (AAA) (+17) 378 Pat O’Gorman (FF)  (+3) 819 Louise Roche McNamara (FF) (+7) 373 PJ Ryan (NP) (+5) 899 Cathy McCafferty (Ind) is eliminated.

09:50 Shannon Third Count

John Crowe (FG) (+6) 1,267 Paschal Fitzgerald (Lab) (+1) 645 Gerry Flynn (NP) (+55) 1,103 David Houlihan (AAA) (+11) 455 Cathy McCafferty (NP) (+12) 259 Mike McKee (SF) (+8) 801 Sean McLoughlin (FG) (+15) 793 Pat McMahon (FF) (+22) 1,055 Tony McMahon (Lab) (+5) 239 Seonaidh Ni Shiomoin (AAA) (+16) 358 Pat O’Gorman (FF) (64) (+3) 816 Louise Roche McNamara (FF) (+5) 366 PJ Ryan (NP) (+28) 894 Tony McMahon (Lab) is eliminated

 9.50 am Ennis Twelfth Count

Clare Colleran Molloy, FF, (+43) 751 Pat Daly, FF, (+ 29) 1,167 Johnny Flynn, FG (+ 130) 1,481 Michael Guifoyle, Ind, (+15) 594 Bernard Hanrahan, FF (+10) 579 Dermot Hayes, Lab, (+ 19) 622 Mary Howard, FG, (+78) 1014 Tom McNamara, FF (+48) 1221 Paul Murphy, FG (+34) 923 Frankie Neylon, Ind, (+10) 598 Ann Norton, Ind, (+36) 1,121 Ger O’Halloran, FG (+40) 912

09:36 As he hoped, Johnny Flynn was elected on the twelfth count picking up 130 votes to go to 1,481.

09:28am Johnny Flynn is hopeful of getting over the line at the next count, which is the distribution of his fellow Fine Gael man Cillian Griffey’s vote.  There is a feeling that the last seat in the Shannon Municipal District will go to either FG’s Sean McLoughlin or SF’s Mike McKee. At the moment McKee is on 793 and McLoughlin on 778.

08:53am Counting set to resume in the next few minutes as crowd starts to build in the West County ballroom.  The Ennis Municipal Disrict is now on the twelfth count, Shannon is on its third and West Clare is yet to begin. Only the Killaloe Municipal District has been concluded. Another long day in store.  Mayor Joe Arkins and Fianna Fáil’s Brian Meaney among yesterday’s high profile casualties, today will tell if any more big names lose out. Four FF, two FG and two independents elected thusfar.

12.46am: Elected to Clare County Council are: In Killaloe all seats in the Electoral Area are filled and the following result declared: Joe Cooney (FG), Pat Hayes (FF), Michael Begley (NP), Tony O’Brien (FF), Pat Burke (FG), Alan O’Callaghan (FF).

In Ennis James Breen (NP) is the only person to be elected so far. Cathal Crowe (FF) is elected in Shannon. Counting in West Clare will begin tomorrow.   Eliminated: In Killaloe Mayor of Clare Joe Arkins of Fine Gael (who was formerly in the North Clare electoral area) has lost his seat. Donal Higgins (Lab), Niamh O’Brien (FN) and Liam Wiley (FF) were eliminated.

In Ennis George Atijohn (NP), Joe Corbett (NP), Cillian Griffey (FG), Tommy Kelly (NP), Brian Meaney (FF), Vera Moloney (FN), Tony Mulqueen (FG), Cathal O’Reilly (SF/NP), Paul O’Shea (Lab), Felix Omorodion (NP), Seamus Ryan (Lab), Gerben Uunk (GP) and Damon Matthew Wise (FN) are all eliminated. In Shannon Michael Fleming (NP) and Karen Wise (FN) are both eliminated.   The count is concluded for tonight and will resume at 9am.

12.44am: Result declared in Killaloe Electoral Area: Joe Cooney (FG), Pat Hayes (FF), Michael Begley (NP), Tony O’Brien (FF), Pat Burke (FG), Alan O’Callaghan (FF). The count is adjourned until 9am tomorrow morning.

12.38am: Count 2 Shannon. Quota 1,510

John Crowe (FG) (+42) 1,261 Paschal Fitzgerald (Lab) (+138) 644 Mike Fleming (NP) (+7) 155 – Eliminated Gerry Flynn (NP) (+5) 1,045 David Houlihan (AAA) (+45) 444 Cathy McCafferty (NP) (+4) 247 Mike McKee (SF) (+20) (+20) 793 Sean McLoughlin (FG) (+7) 778 Pat McMahon (FF) (+29) 1,053 Tony McMahon (Lab) (+3) 234 Seonaidh Ni Shiomoin (AAA) (+15) 342 Pat O’Gorman (FF) (64) (+64) 813 Louise Roche McNamara (FF) (+17) 361 PJ Ryan (NP) (+22) 866 Karen Wyse (FN) (+1) 19 – Eliminated

12.25am: Results of Count 11 Ennis Municipal District

James Breen, Ind, (+62) 1,449 Clare Colleran Molloy, FF, (+24) 708 Pat Daly, FF, (+ 16) 1,138 Johnny Flynn, FG (+ 29) 1,351 Cillian Griffey, FG, (+20) 549 (Eliminated) Michael Guifoyle, Ind, (+28) 579 Bernard Hanrahan, FF (+15) 569 Dermot Hayes, Lab, (+ 39) 603 Mary Howard, FG, (+42) 936 Tom McNamara, FF (+23) 1,173 Paul Murphy, FG (+18) 889 Frankie Neylon, Ind, (+29) 588 Ann Norton, Ind, (+91) 1,085 Ger O’Halloran, FG (+4) 872

12.22am: James Breen (NP) elected on count 11 in Ennis. Cillian Griffey (FG) eliminated. Count for Ennis to resume tomorrow morning at 9am

12.17am: Tony Mulqueen’s votes are currently being redistributed in Ennis. Liam Wileys’s votes are being redistributed in Killaloe. In Shannon, Cathal Crowe’s surplus is being distributed.

12.00am: Results of Count Ten Ennis Municipal District: James Breen, Ind, (+48) 1,387 Clare Colleran Molloy, FF, (+11) 684 Pat Daly, FF, (+ 18) 1,122 Johnny Flynn, FG (+ 68) 1,322 Cillian Griffey, FG, (+28) 529 Michael Guifoyle, Ind, (+20) 551 Bernard Hanrahan, FF (+12) 554 Dermot Hayes, Lab, (+ 31) 564 Mary Howard, FG, (+46) 894 Paula McNamara, Ind, (+12) 512 Tom McNamara, FF (+22) 1,150 Paul Murphy, FG (+29) 871 Frankie Neylon, Ind, (+31) 559 Ann Norton, Ind, (+32) 994 Ger O’Halloran, FG (+5) 868

11.51pm: Liam Wiley’s votes are being redistributed in the Killaloe Electoral Area.

11.50pm: Result of count 6 Killaloe: Joe Arkins, FG (+27) 1,019 Pat Burke FG (+15) 1,270 Tony O’Brien FF (+19) 1,484 Alan O’Callaghan FF (+19) 1,119 Liam Wiley FF (+10) 968 – Liam Wiley eliminated.

11.32pm: First count in Shannon. Quota 1,510 Cathal Crowe (FF) 1,929 (Elected) John Crowe (FG) 1,219 Paschal Fitzgerald (Lab) 506 Mike Fleming (NP) 148 Gerry Flynn (NP) 1,040 David Houlihan (AAA) 399 Cathy McCafferty (NP) 243 Mike McKee (SF) 773 Sean McLoughlin (FG) 771 Pat McMahon (FF) 1,024 Tony McMahon (Lab) 231 Seonaidh Ni Shiomoin (AAA) 327 Pat O’Gorman (FF) 749 Louise Roche McNamara (FF) 344 PJ Ryan (NP) 844 Karen Wyse (FN) 18

11.30pm: Elected in Clare so far: Killaloe – Joe Cooney (FG), Pat Hayes (FF), Michael Begley (NP). Shannon – Cathal Crowe (FF) No candidate has been elected in Ennis yet and counting has yet to begin in West Clare.

11.25pm: Cathal Crowe (FF) elected in Shannon.

11.10pm: Result from count 5, Killaloe. Michael Begley (NP) was elected and his surplus is currently being redistributed.   Joe Arkins, FG (+67) 992 Michael Begley NP (+270) 1,799 Pat Burke FG (+71) 1,255 Tony O’Brien FF (+38) 1,467 Alan O’Callaghan FF (+109) 1,100 Liam Wiley FF (+49) 958

11.08pm: Count 9 Ennis: Redistribution of Cathal O’Reilly’s votes. Sitting councillor Tony Mulqueen (FG) has been eliminated. 105 non transferable. Quota in Ennis is 1,430. James Breen, NP (+60) 1,339 Colleran Molloy Clare, FF (+11) 669 Pat Daly, FF (+18) 1,104 Johnny Flynn, FG (+27) 1,254 Cillian Griffey, FG (+9) 501 Michael Guilfoyle, NP (+13) 531 Bernard Hanrahan, FF (+8) 542 Dermot Hayes, Lab (+19) 533 Mary Howard, FG (+16) 848 Paula McNamara, NP (+45) 497 Tom McNamara, FF (+9) 1,128 Tony Mulqueen, FG (+14) 472 Paul Murphy, FG (+9) 842 Frankie Neylon, NP (+42) 528 Ann Norton, NP (+32) 958 Ger O’Halloran FG (+5) 853

11.04pm: Michael Begley (NP) elected in Killaloe electoral area.

10.33pm: Cathal O’Reilly who resigned from the Sinn Féin party earlier this week was eliminated in Ennis on the eighth count. His 442 votes are being redistributed. Count 8. James Breen, NP (+44) 1,279 Colleran Molloy Clare, FF (+11) 658 Pat Daly, FF (+14) 1,086 Johnny Flynn, FG (+17) 1,227 Cillian Griffey, FG (+13) 492 Michael Guilfoyle, NP (+11) 518 Bernard Hanrahan, FF (+2) 534 Dermot Hayes, Lab (+33) 514 Mary Howard, FG (+26) 832 Paula McNamara, NP (+38) 452 Tom McNamara, FF (+4) 1,119 Tony Mulqueen, FG (+12) 458 Paul Murphy, FG (+7) 833 Frankie Neylon, NP (+11) 486 Ann Norton, NP (+34) 926 Ger O’Halloran FG (+4) 848 Cathal O’Reilly SF (+15) 442 – Eliminated

10.23pm: Counting about to begin in Shannon Electoral Area.

10.10pm: Partial recount taking place in Killaloe as Niamh O’Brien (FN) is eliminated just 6 votes below Liam Wile (FF).

10.00pm: Ennis Count 6. Sitting Councillor Brian Meaney has been eliminated. His votes were redistributed. 18 votes were non-transferable.   Ennis Count 7. Labour’s Paul O’Shea has been eliminated.   James Breen, NP (+19) 1,219 (+17) 1,237 Colleran Molloy Clare, FF (+10) 618 (+29) 647 Pat Daly, FF (+10) 1,037 (+45) 1,072 Johnny Flynn, FG (+16) 1,184 (+26) 1,210 Cillian Griffey, FG (+8) 465 (+14) 479 Michael Guilfoyle, NP (+6) 499 (+8) 507 Bernard Hanrahan, FF (+8) 524 (+8) 532 Dermot Hayes, Lab (+51) 472 (+6) 478 Mary Howard, FG (+10) 771 (+35) 806 Paula McNamara, NP (+24) 407 (+7) 414 Tom McNamara, FF (+8) 1,076 (+39) 1,115 Brian Meaney, FF (+3) 320 (Eliminated) Tony Mulqueen, FG (+4) 424 (+22) 446 Paul Murphy, FG (+1) 815 (+11) 826 Frankie Neylon, NP (+7) 467 (+8) 475 Ann Norton, NP (+3) 871 (+21) 892 Ger O’Halloran FG (+2) 841 (+3) 844 Cathal O’Reilly SF (+8) 421 (+9) 430 Paul O’Shea NP (+25) 326 (+4) 330 (Eliminated)

9.48pm: Sitting councillor Brian Meaney has been eliminated in the Ennis Electoral Area.

9.30pm: In Killaloe Pat Hayes’s (FF) surplus was distributed. Transfers were as follows: Joe Arkins, FG (+19) 870 Michael Begley, NP (+7) 1,475 Pat Burke, FG (+29) 1,148 Donal Higgins, Lab (+9) 360 (eliminated) Niamh O’Brien, FN (+23) 840 Tony O’Brien, FF (+17) 1,408 Alan O’Callaghan, FF (+20) 936 Liam Wiley, FF (+58) 886

7.30pm: RESULT: Ennis First Count Total electorate: 23,797 Total poll: 13,008 total poll Total Valid Poll: 12,869 Invalid Poll: 139 Quota: 1,430   George Atijohn (NP): 197 James Breen (NP): 1,134 Clare Colleran Molloy (FF): 584 Joe Corbett (NP): 208 Pat Daly (FF): 1,000 Johnny Flynn (FG): 1,110 Cillian Griffey (FG): 425 Michael Guilfoyle (NP): 466 Bernard Hanrahan (FF): 501 Dermot Hayes (Lab): 333 Mary Howard (FG): 720 Tommy Kelly (NP): 12 Paula McNamara (NP): 330 Tom McNamara (FF): 1,049 Brian Meaney (FF): 302 Vera Moloney (FN): 30 Tony Mulqueen (FG): 396 Paul Murphy (FG): 804 Frankie Neylon (NP): 440 Ann Norton (NP): 821 Ger O’Halloran (FG): 804 Cathal O’Reilly (NP): 392 Paul O’Shea (NP): 257 Felix Omorodion (NP): 236 Seamus Ryan (Lab): 229 Gerben Uunk (GP): 92 Damon Matthew Wise (FN): 7   Wise, Uunk, Moloney and Kelly eliminated.

7.12pm In Killaloe Joe Cooney’s surplus has been divided and has elected Pat Hayes (FF). He picked up 277 transfers to reach 1,767, well over the 1,585 quota. Transfers were as follows: Joe Arkins, FG (+96) 851 Michael Begley, NP (+78) 1,468 Pat Burke, FG (+294) 1,119 Donal Higgins, Lab (+28) 351 Niamh O’Brien, FN (+81) 817 Tony O’Brien, FF (+97) 1,391 Alan O’Callaghan, FF (+125) 916 Liam Wiley, FF (+177) 828

7.10pm: In Killaloe electoral areaJoe Cooney’s (FG) surplus has just brought home Pat Hayes (FF).

6.10pm: “Not worth voting,” was the verdict from some of the voters, who spoilt their votes in the Killaloe Electoral Area. A total of 88 voters were deemed to be invalid by the returning officer following consultation with all the ten candidates or their representatives. Fianna Fáil candidate Alan O’Callaghan estimates that at least 30% of the 88 votes were deliberately spoilt while other voting papers were deemed invalid because there was no marking at all or an incorrect marking such as a tick instead of a numerical preference. He also believes that some voters may have been confused and didn’t know how to vote due to the second ballot paper for the Euro South election. [doptg id=”16″]

5.43pm: Joe Cooney (FG) first person elected to Clare County Council 2014. [5.42pm: RESULT: Killaloe first count Total valid poll: 11,093 Quota: 1,585  

Joe Arkins (FG) 755 Michael Begley (NP) 1,390 Pat Burke (FG) 825 Joe Cooney (FG) 2,843 (elected) Pat Hayes (FF) 1,490 Donal Higgins (Lab) 323 Niamh O’Brien (FN) 731 Tony O’Brien (FF) 1,294 Alan O’Callaghan (FF) 791 Liam Wiley (FF) 651

5.35pm: First count for Killaloe expected here shortly. Sitting councillor Joe Cooney (FG) looks set to be the first person elected in Clare.

5.22pm: In the Killaloe Electoral Area, Joe Cooney (FG) looks set to top the county wide poll with 2,728 first preference votes with one box left to tally. He is followed by Pat Hayes (FF) with 1,372 while Tony O’Brien (FF) is on 1,295. Sitting councillor Michael Begley (NP) looks safe with 1,220 first preferences. Newcomer Alan O’Callaghan (FF) stands at 768 while sitting Fine Gael councillors Joe Arkins and Pat Burke at level at 732. Labour’s Donal Higgins has the lowest first preference vote in Killaloe at 308. Fís Nua’s Niamh O’Brien with 671 first preferences stands ahead of Fianna Fáil’s Liam Wiley who has 633.

5.00pm: Doubtful papers will be adjudicated on for the Killaloe area here in about 10 minutes.

5.00pm: Just a reminder in Ennis there are 27 candidates for eight seats. That is the highest number of candidates for one area in the country. West Clare has eight seats and 16 candidates in the running. In Shannon there are 16 candidates going for six seats. In Killaloe there are 10 candidates for six seats.

4.52pm: The first count in Killaloe is expected at about 5.30pm.

4.38pm: The latest tally in Shannon with 30/31 boxes now open shows Cathal Crowe (FF) in the lead by a wide margin with 1,698 first preferences. He is followed by John Crowe (FG) on 1,077. Behind him is Pat McMahon (FF) and Gerry Flynn (NP) on 1,037 and 1,029 respectively. The remaining three seats look likely to go to PJ Ryan (NP) on 772, followed by Sean McLoughlin (FG) on 757 and Mike McKee (SF) on 740. Trailing behind is sitting councillor Pascal Fitzgerald (Lab) on 504, while Pat O’Gorman (FF) stands on 582.

4.30pm: In West Clare tallies for 59/60 boxes in the electoral area now see Christy Curtin (NP) racing ahead with 1,842 votes. He is followed by Richard Nagle (FF) on 1,799 votes, and Bill Slattery (FG) on 1,760. Michael Hillery (FF) is sitting comfortably on 1,398 while PJ Kelly (FF) is on 1,296. Ian Lynch (NP) has breached the 1,000 mark with 1,199 votes according to the tally. Bill Chamber (FF) is on 1,090. Those trailing below the 1,000-vote mark are Oliver Garry (FG) on 990, Patrick Keane (FF) 987, Sinn Fein’s Noeleen Moran is on 954 before Gabriel Keating (FG) on 911.

3.48pm: In Ennis Fine Gael are ahead with around 33%, followed by Independents between 31% and 32%. Fianna Fail stand at 26% of the vote, while Labour, Sinn Fein, the Greens, and Fis Nua all lie under 5%. In Shannon Fianna Fail are coming out on top with approximately 37% of the vote, they are followed by Independents with around 22%. Fine Gael stand at just below 20%, while the Anti Austerity Alliance, Labour and Sinn Fein are neck and neck at around 7%, while Fis Nua have failed to register.

3:43pm: Count officially beginning for Ennis and Killaloe Electoral Areas.

 

3.37pm: In West Clare Fianna Fail are out on top netting approximately 48% of the vote there, with  Fine Gael not far behind on approximately 37%. Independents make up 14% of the remaining vote, while the Green Party and Sinn Fein take just under 5% of the vote. In Killaloe Fine Gael come out on top with 40% of the vote, while Fianna Fail follow close behind with approximately 38% of the vote. Independents make up the bulk of the remining vote, netting 11%, while Fis Nua stand around 6% and Labour at approximately 3%.

3.30pm: With more boxes yet to open initial tallies in Clare show Fianna Fáil with 36% of poll, Fine Gael around 32%, Labour in region of 3%, Fís Nua 2% approximately, Sinn Féin 3%, Independents 21%, Green 1% and Anti Austerity Alliance polling at about 2%.

3.24pm: With 111 boxes of 158 open in the European Election, initial tallies show Brian Crowley (FF) to be running away with the Clare votes with 9,901 votes. The next closest behind him is Sean Kelly (FG) with 5,946 votes, and he is followed by Liadh Ni Riada (SF) with 5,160 votes. Clare’s Richard Cahill (NP) has 2477 votes according to this tally.

3.07pm: In Ennis early tallies see Johnny Flynn (FG) James Breen (NP) and Tom McNamara (FF) racing ahead with over a 1000 votes in across the municipal district. Close behind them is Pat Daly (FF). Newcomer Ger O’Halloran (FG) looks likely to win a seat, with the next best position from the initial tally with 805 votes and just behind him is Paul Murphy (FG) and Ann Norton (NP). Among the surprises from the tally is sitting councillor Brian Meaney (FF) looks to be in trouble with initial tallies indicating a vote of 293.

2.47pm: In Killaloe sitting councillors Joe Cooney (FG), Michael Begley (NP) and Pat Hayes (FF) look like they will safely keep their seats. Former county councillor Tony O’Brien (FF) looks set to win back the seat he held up to five years ago. Donal Higgins (L) looks likely to lose out with the lowest tally result, while Joe Arkins (FG), Pat Burke (FG), Niamh O’Brien (FN), Alan O’Callaghan (FF), and Liam Wiley (FF) all within a 100 votes of one another.

Independent Michael Begley confers with tally men during the election count at The West county Hotel, Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly.

 

2.33pm:

Tallies in from Killaloe are in and Joe Cooney (FG), as expected is topping the tally results with 2728 votes, he is the only candidate to surpass the 1500 votes according to the initial tally.

2.26pm: Based on the West Clare tallies so far: Ian Lynch (NP), PJ Kelly (FF), Michael Hillery (FF), Bill Slattery (FG), Richard Nagle (FF) and Pat Keane (FF) are doing well. Sitting councillor Gabriel Keating (FG)  appears to be struggling.

2.10pm: With just one box left to open in the Shannon area, Cathal Crowe (FF) leads the pack with 1,698 first preference votes which will see him elected. In second place is John Crowe (FG) at 1,077, followed by Pat McMahon (FF) with 1,037. Independent Gerry Flynn has polled particularly well at 1,029. Next up is PJ Ryan (NP). It is very tight between Sean McLoughlin (FG) at 757 and Mike McKee (SF) 470.

11.00am: A combined tally is taking place at the count centre in Ennis. Results as we have them. 10.00am: Counting of votes is not expected to start in any electoral area until this afternoon, with the Ennis Electoral Area up first.

9.35am: The papers are being sorted with the ballots for the European Elections due to be sent to Cork for counting later today.

9.30am: Staff at the count centre in Treacy’s West County Hotel began opening ballot boxes at 9am.