Elections '09

Independent Marian Harkin has topped the poll in the North West Euro
constituency.

Fianna Fail’s Pat the Cope Gallagher and Fine Gael’s Jim Higgins took the
second and third seats.

All three were elected following the sixth count in Castlebar in the early
hours of this morning.

The count, which lasted over two days, was delayed by a recheck which was
requested by Libertas candidate Declan Ganley.

During his election speech Pat the Cope Gallagher, who has served as an MEP
before, questioned the need for the recheck.

Independent Marian Harkin has topped the poll in the North West Euro
constituency.

Fianna Fail’s Pat the Cope Gallagher and Fine Gael’s Jim Higgins took the
second and third seats.

All three were elected following the sixth count in Castlebar in the early
hours of this morning.

The count, which lasted over two days, was delayed by a recheck which was
requested by Libertas candidate Declan Ganley.

During his election speech Pat the Cope Gallagher, who has served as an MEP
before, questioned the need for the recheck.

FF’s Sean McEniff has taken the fifth and final seat in the Donegal Electoral Area for Donegal County Council.

The seasoned politician with over 49 years under his belt as a local representative faced an unprecedented struggle for the last seat.

He was elected without exceeding the quota last night with a final count of 2218 votes.

However Independent Tom Conaghan, who received a final count of 2,197 votes, requested a recount last night.

The recount got underway at the St John Bosco Centre this morning at 10am.

It continued for over eight hours, with counters sifting through the votes of all 14 candidates throughout the day.

However, at around 17.30pm, it emerged that Tom Conaghan was about to concede defeat, which was confirmed just a few moments later.

Returning Officer Gerry Gilroy said he had been formally notified of a request to have the count discontinued.

Tom Conaghan needed 21 votes to overtake Sean McEniff but the recount throughout the day had shown there would be no siginifcant changes.

The final line-up for the Donegal Electoral Area as elected by a total valid poll of 14,987 and a quota of 2,498 is as follows in polling order:

Barry O’Neill FG
Thomas Pringle IND
John Boyle FG
Brendan Byrne FF
Sean McEniff FF

17.30pm
Tom Conaghan has conceded defeat and FF’s Sean McEniff has taken the fifth and final seat in the Donegal Electoral Area.

16PM.
Recount continuing. Sean McEniff has called for the last seat to be conceded. However, Tom Conaghan says he wants to wait for the recount to be completed in full.

13PM
Tanaiste Mary Coughlan has arrived at St John Bosco Centre. Suggestions are there is no significant change to report at this early stage.

11.40amCounting well underway. Returning officer estimates that result may not be know until at least 5pm this evening.

A recount in the Donegal Electoral Area is now underway. [10AM].

The votes of all 14 candidates are being recounted to ensure transfer calculations are correct and verified.

Sean McEniff took the final fifth Donegal County Council seat on the tenth count late last night.

However, Tom Conaghan (IND) has requested a recount.

There are 21 votes between both candidates – Sean McEniff is on 2218 while Tom Conaghan is on 2197.

Barry O’Neill, Thomas Pringle, John Boyle and Brendan Byrne were all elected last night.

In the Glenties Electoral Area, the five councillors elected onto Donegal County Council in the early hours of the morning were Independent Seamus O’Domhnaill, David Alcorn of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael’s Terence Slowey, Padraig Doherty, Independent, and Marie Therese Gallagher of Sinn Fein.

Sligo County Council counts are all over and results have been announced.

FG have gained the most seats with 12.

FF have gained 7 seats.

Ind have 3 seats.

Lab have gained 2 seats.

SF gained 1 seat.

Counting of votes for the European elections is continuing this afternoon in
Castlebar.

The common consensus is that there will be little change, with sitting MEP’s
Jim Higgins of Fine Gael and Independent Marian Harkin on course to retain
their seats.

Fianna Fail also look likely to retain their seat with Donegal TD Pat the
Cope Gallagher.

However there is a feeling that Declan Ganley could be the dark horse in
this race.

A tally is not expected untill at least four o clock and the first count at
10pm tonight.

It looks like the count could continue tommorrow.

The four Councillors have been elected for the Sligo/Tubbercurry area.

The results are as follows:

Margaret Gormley, Ind

Gerry Murray, FG

Jerry Lundy, FF

Michael Fleming, FG

The electorate was 8,294, total poll 5,982, invalid votes 58 and total valid poll was 5,924.

The quota was 1,185.

Gerry Murray, FG will join Margaret Gormley, Ind on Tubbercurry County Council.

The electorate is 8,294, total poll 5,982, invalid votes 58 and total valid poll is 5,924.

The quota is 1,185.

The first count results are as follow:

Aidan Colleary, FF – 890

Michael Fleming, FG – 985

Margaret Gormley, Ind – 2,162 – ELECTED on first count.

Jerry Lundy, FF – 1,157

Roger McCarrick, Ind – 496

Gerry Murray, FG – 1,211 – ELECTED on second count.

Roger Mc Carrick has been eliminated on the second count. His votes will now be distrubted

Margaret Gormley, Ind has been elected in the Tubbercurry electoral area first count.

The electorate is 8,294, total poll 5,982, invalid votes 58 and total valid poll is 5,924.

The quota is 1,185.

The first count results are as follow:

Aidan Colleary, FF – 768

Michael Fleming, FG – 766

Margaret Gormley, Ind – 2,162 – ELECTED

Jerry Lundy, FF – 970

Roger McCarrick, Ind – 354

Gerry Murray, FG – 904

Margaret Gormley’s extensive surplus of 977 votes will be distributed in the second count.