More woes for Green Party as Grace O’Sullivan joins Ciarán Cuffe in losing European Parliament seat

Grace O’Sullivan followed fellow incumbent Ciarán Cuffe in being ruled out of the race for a seat in Ireland South.

The departure of Green MEPs in Dublin and Ireland South adds to Eamon Ryan’s woes which saw his party lose half of its seats on local councils.

The Green leader sought to blame his party’s electoral misfortunes on attacks levelled at his candidates by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael during the campaign.

However, Green Party candidates across the EU fared badly in the election, held every five years.

There was success for Fianna Fáil with Billy Kelleher in Ireland South securing a return to Brussels on the 18th count thanks to more than 12,000 transfers when Fine Gael candidate John Mullins was eliminated.

Mr Kelleher celebrated with his staff and party leader Micheál Martin at Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork where counting was held.

“It is emotional to be adjudicated by your peers and to be found to be in good stead with them is a huge honour,” Mr Kelleher said.

Mr Martin said “there’s a real prospect” of Mr Kelleher’s running mate Cynthia Ní Mhurchú taking a second seat.

“Suffice to say the Fianna Fáil campaign was around the idea that we need to send serious, committed, pro-European Union candidates; be critical yes, but pro the union,” he said.

Independent TD Michael McNamara, Sinn Féin’s Kathleen Funchion and former property developer Mick Wallace were all in contention for the final seat yesterday evening.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil was on course to take a seat in Midlands-North West for the first time in more than 10 years.

Offaly TD Barry Cowen is expected to get a seat after Fianna Fáil ran a three-candidate strategy. Niall Blaney was eliminated early in the day and was expected to be followed out of the race by Mayo-based senator Lisa Chambers.

Fine Gael were well-placed to return sitting MEP Maria Walsh and former jockey Nina Carberry is also in the hunt. Independent MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan topped the poll and will return to Brussels for a second term after he was elected late on Thursday evening.. Independent Ireland candidate and former broadcaster Ciarán Mullooly was also in the mix for a seat.

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín was eliminated on the 19th count after securing more 56,000 votes.