Local elections 2024 – Cork city: Fine Gael’s Shane O’Callaghan tops poll

He was the third councillor elected to Cork City Council after the day-long count.

Councillor O’Callaghan comfortably exceeded the quota of 1,528 with a first preference total of 1,870.

The count was suspended for the night after he was deemed elected.

Fianna Fáil, Independents and Labour enjoyed strong electoral performances in Cork City Council.

However, Fine Gael are battling to defend their position on the 31 seat council and are at risk of potentially losing two seats.

It was a good election for Fianna Fail, the Labour Party, Social Democrats and Independents – with potential breakthroughs available in several of the council’s five wards depending on late count transfers.

The Social Democrats are now battling to elect their first councillor to Cork City Hall.

Labour could win two extra seats if transfers break in their favour – potentially a major achievement given that the party had been reduced to just one seat on the council.

Sinn Fein are unlikely to secure the hoped for gains and are battling to avoid losing a council seat.

The far right are set to fail to make the breakthrough in Cork that they had hoped for with several candidates failing to achieve the first preference votes required to put them in with a chance of securing a seat, depending on transfers.

There was a strong performance by Independents in the City Hall election with outgoing Lord Mayor Councillor Kieran McCarthy and Councillor Ken O’Flynn enjoying large votes.