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Local elections 2024 Donegal: Frank McBrearty and Martin Harley retain seats in Lifford/Stranorlar
Frank McBrearty and Martin Harley have been returned to their seats on Donegal County Council.
McBrearty (Ind) gained 445 transfers following the distribution of Niall McConnell’s 1,127 votes to bring his total to 1,939.
Harley received another 62 to take him to 1,638, surpassing the quota by just nine votes.
8.30pm
Constituency Donegal
First Count
Electorate 24,597
Total Poll 13,997
Spoiled/invalid votes 108
Total valid poll 13,889
Quota 1,985
Number of seats 6
Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly.
7.45pm
It’s a proud day for Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly as he topped the poll in the Letterkenny LEA.
The Glenswilly man was elected in the first count having received a total of 1,841 votes which surpassed the 1,629 quota by 212 votes.
Kelly took over the role of councillor from his father, Donal Snr, in 2020 following his resignation.
His brother Manus Kelly originally won the seat in the May 2019 elections just weeks before his tragic death in the Donegal International Rally.
Letterkenny LEA first count
Electorate: 25,643
Total Poll: 13,175
Invalid: 146
Valid: 13,029
Quota: 1,629
Elected: Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly
Independent Candidate Martin Scanlon.
7.15pm
Independent Candidate and newcomer Martin Scanlon has topped the poll in Lifford/Stranorlar.
He was elected on the fifth count this evening.
He provided a shock yesterday when it was announced that he was leading the tally poll in the highly contested area.
Also elected in the fifth count was Sinn Fein’s Gary Doherty – the sitting councillor has retained his seat in the chamber.
7pm
Sitting Councillors Liam Blaney (Fianna Fáil) and Pauric McGarvey (Non-Party) have filled the two remaining seats in Milford.
The pair were elected in the fifth count.
It was a tight race for the third seat between McGarvey and sitting councillor John O’Donnell who lost his seat in the hotly contested area.
Mr O’Donnell earlier confessed that he did not see himself being re-elected and admitted defeat.
6.30pm
Independent candidate Declan Meehan has been elected in the fourth count of the Milford LEA.
The Independent candidate was leading the way since early on Saturday.
He said his work in the community has helped him gain the support he needed to get over the line.
The Milford count is proving a tight battle with sitting councillor John O’Donnell set to miss out on his seat. Sitting Councillors Liam Blaney and Pauric McGarvey look set to claim the remaining two seats.
Eliminated: Maria Doherty (Count 4)
Vincent Bradley (Non-Party) (Count 1)
Kathleen Deeney (Aontú) (Count 1)
Aaron Sweeney (FG) (Count 2)
6.15pm
Milford
1st count
Electorate: 13,178
Total Poll: 8,309
Invalid: 79
Valid: 8,230
Quota: 2,058
No candidate reached the quota of 2,058 in the first count.
Declan Meehan (Ind) 1,739
Liam Blaney (FF) 1,563
Pauric McGarvey (Ind)1,391
John O’Donnell (Ind) 1,324
Kathleen Deeney (Aontu) 132
Vincent J Bradley (Ind) 145
Eamonn Jackson (100%) 502
Aaron Sweeney (FG) 500
Maria Doherty (SF) 934
5.45pm
Glenties
Second count
Eliminated: Anthony Matthew Doohan (IND)
Ann Sweeney (IND)
No candidate elected in second count.
5.30pm
Lifford Stranorlar candidate Garvan Connolly (FG) has been eliminated after Count two while Sinn Fein’s Tony McDaid was eliminated in count three.
No candidate has been elected in the area yet.
5pm
No candidate has been elected in the Lifford/Stranorlar first count.
Rebecca McDaid (Aontu) has been eliminated.
Electorate 21,903
Total Poll: 11,533
Invalid: 133
Valid: 11,400
Quota 1,629
Number of seats 6
No one elected on first count.
Eliminated – Rebecca McDaid
Garvan Connolly (FG) 533
Gerry Crawford (FF) 990
Gary Doherty (SF) 1,193
Martin Harley (FG) 1,261
Frank McBrearty (Ind) 1,199
Niall McConnell (ind) 971
Rebecca McDaid (Aontú) 434
Tony McDaid (SF) 625
Patrick McGowan (FF) 1,171
Dakota McMenamin (SF) 839
Martin Scanlon (Ind) 1,410
Charles Ward (100%) 880
4.45pm
Independent Cllr Michael Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig has topped the poll in Glenties.
The sitting councillor received 2,125 votes to top the poll and be elected on the first count.
He was closely followed by another sitting councillor, Independent Michael McClafferty who was also elected on the first count.
He received 1,885 votes.
Glenties First Count
Elected: Michael Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig (Ind)
Michael McClafferty (Ind)
Electorate 24,479
Total Poll 13,297
Invalid 123
Total Valid Poll 13,174
Quota 1,883
Number of seats 6
Brian Carr (SF) 1,021
Anthony Matthew Doohan (Ind) 106
Jimmy Duffy (Labour) 287
Michael Harkin (Aontú) 461
Michael Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig (Ind) 2,125
Michael McClafferty (Ind) 1,885
Denis McGee (100%) 889
Anthony Molloy (Ind) 1,409
Joseph Molloy (FG) 751
Kevin O’Donnell (Ind) 581
John Shéamuis Ó’Fearraigh (SF) 970
John Reilly (FF) 652
Anne Marie Rodgers (FF) 369
Kellie Rodgers (SF) 798
Jonathon Stewart (Ind) 794
Ann Sweeney (Ind) 76
4pm Sinn Féin’s Jack Murray has topped the poll in Buncrana, closely followed by 100% Redress Party candidate Joy Beard.
Both Councillors were elected on the first count.
Jack Murray, who is a sitting councillor, topped the poll with 2,248 votes.
Joy Beard received 1,587 votes.
Cllr Jack Murray and Cllr Joy Beard.
Buncrana LEA
First Count
Elected: Jack Murray (SF)
Joy Beard (100%)
Electorate 17,578
Total Poll 9,198
Spoiled/invalid votes 141
Total valid poll 9,057
Quota 1,510
Number of seats 5
Joy Beard (100%) 1,587
Fionan Bradley (FF) 847
Paul Canning (FF) 1,267
Terry Crosssan (SF) 973
Jason Le Masurier (GP) 89
Eamon McGee (Ind) 90
Niamh McGuinness (SF) 480
Peter McLaughlin (FG) 499
Kim McMenamin (TIP) 567
Adrian McMyler (Ind) 251
Liam Mulligan Aontú 159
Jack Murray (SF) 2,248
3.30pm
The 100% Redress Party have topped the poll in Carndonagh as newcomer Ali Farren has been elected in the first count.
Ali Farren topped the poll with 2,253 votes.
Also elected in the first count was sitting Fianna Fail councillor Martin McDermott.
Cllr McDermott received 2.069 votes.
Ali Farren and Martin McDerrmott embrace after being elected in Carndonagh.
Carndonagh 1st count
ELECTED: ALI FARREN 100% Redress Party
MARTIN MCDERMOTT Fianna Fail
Electorate 15,041
Total Poll 8,009
Spoiled/invalid votes 70
Total valid poll 7,939
Quota 1,588
Toni Devine (SF) 262
Albert Doherty (SF) 996
Martin Farren (Labour) 1,001
Ali Farren (100%) 2,253
Martin McDermott (FF) 2,069
Johnny McGuiness (FG) 736
Donal McKinney (TIP) 193
Paul B McKinney (Ind) 374
Michael White (GP) 55
9am
The counting of votes in County Donegal is taking place in five count centres across the county.
Following the tally results on Saturday, a number of sitting councillors look to be at risk of losing their seat, while the 100% Redress Group looks set to claim at least three seats.
The first result is expected early afternoon.
The segregation of votes was completed at the Donegal Count Centre at the Aura Leisure Centre on Saturday night.
The segregation of votes is finished in Donegal. The count will begin on Sunday morning at 9am.
9.15pm
One of the biggest shocks in the Donegal election tallies came from an Independent claiming the top of the poll in the hotly contested Lifford/ Stranorlar area.
In the final segregation of the evening, Martin Scanlon has topped the poll, with tallies indicating that the other five seats will be filled by sitting councillors.
However, it’s a tight competition.
In second place is sitting Fine Gael councillor Martin Harley while Independent Councillor Frank McBrearty is in third place.
Sinn Fein’s Gary Doherty is coming in at fourth, while Cllr Patrick McGowan is in fifth place.
Cllr Gerry Crawford is in line for the sixth seat.
Hot on his heels is 100% Redress Party Candidate Charles Ward and Independent Niall McConnell.
Independent Candidate Martin Scanlon.
Tally for Lifford/Stranorlar
Quota 1,382
Martin Scanlon, non-party; 12.5 percent; 1,387 votes
Martin Harley, Fine Gael; 10.8 percent, 1,200 votes
Frank McBrearty, non-party; 10.7 percent, 1,188 votes
Gary Doherty, Sinn Féin; 10.4 percent, 1,151 votes
Patrick McGowan, Fianna Fáil; 10.2 percent, 1,125
Gerry Crawford, Fianna Fáil, 8.9 percent, 984 votes
Charles Ward, 100% Redress; 7.8 percent, 860 votes
Niall McConnell, non-party; 7.7 percent, 856 votes
Dakota Nic Mheanman, Sinn Féin; 7 percent, 780 votes
Tony McDaid, Sinn Féin; 5.6 percent, 615 votes
Garvan Connolly, Fine Gael; 4.6 percent, 509 votes
Rebecca McDaid, Aontú; 3.7 percent, 410 votes
8.30pm
The 100% redress party could be in line for a seat in Glenties as candidate Denis McGee has polled well in the area and is sitting in fifth place.
Tallies are indicating that Anthony Molloy and Cllr Michael Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig seats are safe in Glenties.
In third place is Michael McClafferty, while newcomer Sinn Féin Kellie Rodgers is in fourth position.
Sitting councillor John Sheamuis O’Farraigh is in line for the sixth seat, while newcomer John O’Reilly is close in seventh.
Tallies are indicating it is a very tight knit race which should make for an interesting day tomorrow.The 100% redress party could be in line for a seat in Glenties as candidate Denis McGee has polled well in the area and is sitting in fifth place.
Tallies are indicating that Anthony Molloy and Cllr Michael Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig seats are safe in Glenties.
In third place is Michael McClafferty, while newcomer Sinn Féin Kellie Rodgers is in fourth position.
Sitting councillor John Sheamuis O’Farraigh is in line for the sixth seat, while newcomer John O’Reilly is close in seventh.
Tallies are indicating it is a very tight knit race which should make for an interesting day tomorrow.
The tally for Glenties. A small number of votes from the islands are outstanding.
Quota: 1,867
Micheál Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig, Anagaire, Gan Pháirtí; 16.2%, 2,111
Michael McClafferty, Falcarragh, non-party; 14.6%, 1,902
Anthony Molloy, Ardara, Fianna Fáil; 10.7%, 1,400
Brian Carr, Glenties, Sinn Féin; 7.7%, 1,003
John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh, Brinalack PO, 7.4%, 968
Sinn Féin; Denis McGee, Gortahork, 100% Redress; 6.7%, 876
Kellie Rodgers, Kincasslagh, Sinn Féin; 6.1%, 796
Jonathan Stewart, Dungloe, non-party; 6%, 778
Joseph Molloy, Derrybeg, Fine Gael; 5.6%, 736
John Reilly, Burtonport, Fianna Fáil; 5%, 649
Kevin O’Donnell, Glenties, non-party; 4.3%, 568
Michael Harkin, Dunfanaghy, Aontú 3.5%, 462
Anne Marie Rodgers, Dunfanaghy, Fianna Fáil; 2.7%, 349
Jimmy Duffy, Carrickfinn, Kincasslagh, The Labour Party; 2.2%, 290
Anthony Matthew Doohan, Falcarragh, non-party; 0.8%, 102
Ann Sweeney, Dunfanaghy, non-party; .5%, 71
6.15pm
The latest round of tallies for Donegal revealed that sitting councillor Fine Gael Councillor Michael Naughton looks set to retain his seat in the south of the county.
Cllr Noel Jordan is in second position followed by Cllr Michael McMahon.
Newcomer Jimmy Brogan has polled well and is sitting in fourth, while Pauric Kennedy is in fifth – both Independents.
Manus Boyle of Fine Gael is in sixth ahead of sitting councillors Fine Gael’s Barry Sweeny and Independent Niamh Kennedy.
Fifteen candidates are seeking six seats.
Quota: 1,937
1 – Michéal Naughton, Laghey, Fianna Fáil, 13.4 percent, 1,817
2 – Noel Jordan, Sinn Féin; 11.3. Percent, 1,538 votes
3 – Michael McMahon, Bundoran, Sinn Féin; 10 percent, 1,358 votes
4 – Jimmy Brogan, non-party; 9.8 percent, 1,335 votes
5 – Pauric Kennedy, Donegal Town, non-party; 9.7 percent, 1,310 votes
6 – Manus Boyle, Fine Gael; 9.4 percent, 1,278 votes
7 – Barry Sweeny, Ballyshannon, Fine Gael; 9.4 percent, 1,270 votes
8 -Niamh Kennedy, Killybegs, non-party; 8.1 percent, 1,096
9 – Martin Hegarty, Fianna Fáil; 5.5 percent, 742 votes
10 -Diarmaid Doherty, non-party; 3.7 percent, 469 votes
11 – Linda Boyle, Kilcar, Sinn Féin, 3.3 percent, 441 votes
12 – Claudia Kennedy, Bundoran, Fianna Fáil; 2.1 percent, 286 votes
13 – Patrick Brogan, Aontú; 2 percent, 277 votes
14 – Derek Vial, Killybegs, non-party; 1.3 percent, 180 votes
15 – John Molloy, Bundoran, The Irish People; 1 percent, 131 votes
5pm
Nine candidates are contesting the three-seat LEA which forms part of the Letterkeny-Milford municipal district.
Sitting councillors John O’Donnell, Kilmacrennan (non-party), Liam Blaney (Fianna Fáil) and Pauric McGarvey (non-party) are seeking reelection.
Tallies:
Declan Meehan, Ramelton, non-party; 21%, 1,712
Liam Blaney, Tamney, Fianna Fáil; 18.8%, 1,534
Pauric McGarvey, Rathmullan; non-party; 16.9%, 1,378
John O’Donnell, Kilmacrennan, non-party; 16.3%, 1,327
Maria Doherty, Carrigart, Sinn Féin; 11.3%, 918
Éamonn Jackson, Glenkeen, Milford, 100% Redress; 6.1%, 499
Aaron Sweeney, Cranford, Fine Gael; 6.1%, 497
Vincent J Bradley, Carrigart, non-party; 1.8%, 143
Kathleen Deeney, Rathmullan, Aontú 1.6%, 131
4.20pm
Donegal County Council – European tallies
In the tallies available in the European elections, it is showing an electorate of 29,889.
The tallies are limited, but the information available suggests that Aontú have received 1,493 votes, Fianna Fáil 6,921, Fine Gael 3,048, Sinn Fein 6,028, Luke Ming Flanaghan 5,773, Ciaran Mullooly 455 and Others 6,171.
The tallies suggest that Milford native Senator Niall Blaney polled well in Milford with Fianna Fáil taking 49% and 27% in Letterkenny.
4pm
The tallies from Milford are indicating that Fianna Fáil Councillor Liam Blaney is on track to keep his seat but Independent candidate Declan Meehan is hot on his heels with the tally suggesting he is following closely behind.
Declan Meehan with supporters at the Donegal Count Centre.
Independent Cllr Pauric McGarvey is coming in third, while Cllr John O’Donnell is also in the running.
There are three seats to be won in the Milford LEA.
3.30pm
Fianna Fail looks set to secure two seats in the Letterkenny LEA as tallies indicate that Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly and Cllr Ciaran Brogan will retain their seats.
The recent figures suggest that the 100% Redress Party candidate Tomas Devine is polling well in third place followed by Fine Gael Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh and Independent Cllr Michael McBride.
Sinn Féin’s Gerry McMonagle and Fianna Fail Donal Coyle are also in the running for a seat in sixth and seventh place, respectively.
Tally results from Letterkenny
1 – Donal Mandy Kelly, Fianna Fáil, 14 per cent, 1,791 votes 2 – Ciaran Brogan, Fianna Fáil, 10.8 percent, 1,381 votes
3 – Tomás Seán Devine, 100% Redress, 9.8 percent, 1,259 votes
4 – Jimmy Kavanagh, Fine Gael, 9.5, 1,222 votes
5 – Michael McBride, non-party, 8.5 percent, 1,088 votes 6 – Gerry McMonagle, Sinn Féin, 7.4 percent, 952 votes 7 – Donal Coyle, Fianna Fáil, 7.4 percent, 948 votes 8 – Mary T Sweeney, Aontú, 5.9 percent, 760 votes
9 – Declan Jordan, non-party; 4.9 percent, 626 votes 10 – Kevin Bradley, Independent, 5.6 per cent, 717 votes
11 – Sandra Haughey, Sinn Féin, 4.7 per cent, 605 votes
12 – Thoiba Ahmed, non-party; 3.4 percent 433 votes
13 – Ulick Hughes, Sinn Féin, 2.7 percent, 348 votes
14 – Michael McLaughlin, The Labour Party, 1.8 per cent, 229 votes
15 – Nuala Carr, Green Party; 1.4 percent, 175 votes
16 – Anne McCloskey, The Irish People; 1.1 per cent, 144 votes
17 – Vincent J Bradley, non-party; 0.8 per cent, 108 votes
18 – Selina O’Donnell, non-party, 0.2 percent, 32 votes
1.30pm
The Buncrana boxes were opened first here this morning and early tallies indicate that Sinn Féin Cllr Jack Murray is on course to retain his seat.
100% Redress party candidate Joy Beard is also polling well.
Sinn Féin’s Terry Crossan is currently coming in third followed by his party colleague Fionnan Bradley.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Paul Canning is sitting at fifth, with Independent Kim McMenamin in sixth.
There are fives seats up for grabs and the official count doesn’t begin until tomorrow.
Tallies from the Buncrana boxes
Quota – 1,396
Five seats
1 – Jack Murray, Sinn Fein, 24.6 per cent, 2060 votes 2 – Joy Beard, 100% Redress, 17.3 per cent, 1,047 votes 3 – Paul Canning, Fianna Fáil, 14.6 per cent, 1,221 votes 4 – Terry Crossan, Sinn Fein, 10.2 per cent, 855 votes 5 – Fionan Bradley, Fianna Fáil, 9.3 per cent, 780 votes 6 – Kim McMenamin, the Irish People Party, 6.2 per cent, 516 votes 7 – Niamh McGuinness, Sinn Féin, 5.5 per cent, 464 votes 8 – Adrian McMyler, Independent, 3-2 per cent, 265 votes 9 – Liam Mulligan, Letterkenny, Aontú, 1.7 per cent, 146 votes 10 – Eamon McGee, non-party, 1 per cent, 85 votes 11 – Jason Le Masurier, Buncrana, Green Party, 1 per cent, 82 votes
12.30pm
The boxes from Cardonagh are currently being sorted at the Donegal County Centre.
According to the latest tallies, 100% Redress Party candidate Ali Farren is leading the way, slightly ahead of Fianna Fáil Cllr Martin McDermott – it remains a tight race between the pair.
Currently sitting at third is Sinn Féin Cllr Albert Doherty with Labour Party Cllr Martin Farren and Fine Gael Cllr Johnny McGuinness.
There are four seats available in Carndonagh.
100% Redress Party Candidate Ali Farren.
Tallies:
Ali Farren (100%) – 2,223
Michael White (GP) – 60
Martin Farren (Labour)* – 991
Toni Devine (SF) – 261
Albert Doherty (SF)* – 1,001
Johnny McGuinness (FG)* – 736
Martin McDermott (FF)* – 2,050
Paul B McKinney (Ind) – 383
Donal McKinney (TIP) – 168
Cllr Jack Murrary with Cllr Terry Crossan.
9am
The sorting of ballot papers is now underway in the local elections at the Donegal count Centre as 91 candidates await their fate.
The voting concluded at 10pm last night.
The candidates and their tally teams have assembled at the Aura Leisure Centre for the count as they face a gruelling wait for the results.
The sorting of votes will take place this morning before the counting of votes begin later.
The first box is opened at the Donegal Count Centre.
Results of tallies are expected later this morning.
We will have all the updates from the Donegal local election count as it happens here on this page.
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