Castlerea man Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan has topped the poll in the Midlands Northwest constituency in the European elections.
The sitting MEP received 78,214 votes, some way short of the quota of 113,325. However, it seems certain he will be re-elected in the coming days.
Another Shannonside candidate, Ciaran Mullooly, is in strong contention for the fifth seat in the 15-county constituency.
The Independent Ireland man got 57,297 first preference votes. After poll-topping Ming, Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil) is in second place, with 73,908.
Fine Gael is currently in line to take two seats, with Nina Carberry in third after the first count, with 73,888, and Maria Walsh in fourth, on 71,476.
She is followed by Ballyleague/Lanesboro man Mullooly, who has a lead of almost 11,500 votes over Sinn Fein’s Michelle Gildernew, who has 45,807.
She is closely followed by Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fáil), on 44,069. Whereas, Aontu leader Peadar Toibin is in seventh, with 40,742.
The second count involved the distribution of three candidate’s votes: Daniel Pocock (Independent), Charlotte Keenan (Independent) and Stephen Garland (Independent). However, their combined total is only 2,705 votes.
The third count will involve the distribution of Gerry Waters' (Independent) votes, of just over 3,000.
It is likely to be several more counts before anyone is elected.
Ming gave his reaction after the first count, speaking to Eoghan Murphy.
Mullooly was also very pleased with his first-preference votes.
The full details of the first count:
Total electorate: 1,318,190
Total poll: 700,700
Spoiled: 20,754
Total valid poll: 679,946
Quota: 113,325
Justin Barrett (National Party) – 4,086
Niall Blaney (Fianna Fáil) – 30,387
Anthony Cahill (The Irish People) – 4,535
Nina Carberry (Fine Gael) – 73,888
Peter Casey (Independent) – 21,102
Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fáil) – 44,069
Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil) – 73,908
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (Independent) – 78,214
Stephen Garland (Independent) – 1,079
Michelle Gildernew (Sinn Féin) – 45,807
Rory Hearne (Social Democrats) – 15,023
Charlotte Keenan (Independent) – 1,102
Hermann Kelly (Irish Freedom Party) - 13,904
Fergal Landy (Labour) – 6,970
Chris MacManus (Sinn Féin) – 29,427
Margaret Maguire (Ireland First) – 3,117
Saoirse McHugh (Independent) – 18,976
Ciaran Mullooly (Independent Ireland) – 57,297
Brian O’Boyle (PBP-SOL) – 3,982
Pauline O’Reilly (Green Party) – 13,710
Daniel Pocock (Independent) – 524
James Reynolds (National Party) – 3,201
Michelle Smith (Independent) – 6,713
Peadar Tóibín (Aontú) – 40,742
Maria Walsh (Fine Gael) – 71,476
Gerry Waters (Independent) - 3,015
John Waters (Independent) -13,692
