European election count to continue with one MEP elected

The counting of votes in all three European Parliament constituencies continues today with just one MEP elected so far.

It is likely to take a number of days before all 14 seats are filled.

After two full days of counting, last night Ireland South became the first European Constituency in the country to return an MEP.

Fine Gael’s Sean Kelly exceeded the quota on the first count.

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He is likely to be followed by Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher, although that may take several more counts.

In Midlands-North-West, no candidates have been elected after three counts.

Independent outgoing MEP Luke Ming Flanagan tops the poll, followed by Fianna Fáil’s Barry Cowen and Fine Gael’s Nina Carberry.

In Dublin, after 12 counts nobody has been elected.

Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews leads the field, with Fine Gael’s Regina Doherty in second place and Sinn Féin’s Lynn Boylan set to take the third seat.

Counting in all three constituencies resumes later this morning.

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Mr Kelly exceeded the quota of 114,761 by just over 8,000 votes, followed by Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher who was a distant second with 91,074 votes.

Clare TD and independent Michael McNamara is in third place after receiving 56,339 first preference votes, Fianna Fáil’s Cynthia Ní Mhurchú was fourth with 55,209 and Indepedents4Change’s outgoing MEP Mick Wallace was fifth after getting 52,803 votes.

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of his re-election, Mr Kelly said he was “absolutely delighted” with the outcome of the poll.

“It’s a very special moment to be elected. Topping the poll and elected on the first count is something I hadn’t experienced before,” Mr Kelly said.