LIVE: Local And European Elections 2024 – Clare FM

12.40pm: Tallies from the Shannon MD are showing that new Fianna Fail candidates Rachel Hartigan and David Griffin are on course to be elected. John Crowe (FG), Pat O’Gorman (FF), Donna McGettigan (SF) and PJ Ryan (IND) are also looking strong. There is an early indication that sitting councillor Michael Begley (IND) could be in danger of losing his seat.

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12.35pm: Pat Daly (FF) looks on course to top the poll in the Ennis MD with Mary Howard (FG) and Paul Murphy (FG) also in a strong position to retain their seats. Predictions at this point are that Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF) and Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) will also be in the shake up.
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12.15pm: Sorting and tallies are now well underway at the Clare count centre at Treacy’s West County Hotel. Early indications show a strong tally in the Ennis area for sitting councillor Pat Daly (FF) with Paul Murphy (FG) and Mary Howard (FG) also polling well.

In Shannon, first time candidate David Griffin (FF) looks to be on course to be in the shake up while fellow first time candidate and party colleague Rachel Hartigan is also polling well.

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09.15 am

The first of the ballot boxes have been opened at the Clare count centre, where the Local and European election votes are currently being separated.

The tallying process for the European Elections is expected to last for a number of hours this morning, after which the votes will be handed over to members of the Defence Forces, who’ll transfer them to the count centre in Cork.

The overall result for the Ireland South Constituency isn’t expected for a number of days.

After lunch today, attention will turn to the Local Elections at Treacy’s West County Hotel in Ennis.

It’s understood the votes for the Ennis, Ennistymon and Killaloe areas will be the first to be counted with the first indications expected late this afternoon or early evening.

The Kilrush and Shannon areas will follow, likely tomorrow, with the count pausing at 4pm for Clare’s Munster hurling Final against Limerick.

Clare FM will be providing election updates on the hour throughout the day, with a full live broadcast from the count centre from 6 o’clock this evening, and again from 10am tomorrow morning.