Counting will get back underway in all three European constituencies this morning, with no candidate yet elected.
In Dublin, Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews and Fine Gael’s Regina Doherty are on course to take the first two seats in the European constituency with Sinn Féin’s Lynn Boylan and Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin both confident they can take the other two seats
The Dublin European Constituency declared its first count at 10.20pm last night but with nobody reaching the quota of 75,345 and with 23 candidates on the ballot paper, it’s likely to be tomorrow afternoon at the earliest before the first two candidates will be elected.
We need your consent to load this comcast-player contentWe use comcast-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
The focus then will shift to the 3rd and 4th seats.
Independent Ireland’s Niall Boylan, Independents 4 Change and sitting MEP Clare Daly, the Green’s Party’s Ciarán Cuffe, who is also a sitting MEP, and People Before Profit – Solidarity TD Brid Smith will all be in the hunt for the final two seats.
Mr Andrews, who in 2019 took the fourth seat, topped the poll with 62,147 first preference votes and Fine Gael’s Regina Doherty was close behind him with 61,344 first preferences looking to ensure she retains the seat held by her outgoing party colleague Frances Fitzgerald.
Sinn Féin’s Lynn Boylan is in third place with 35,441 but her party is confident that she will benefit from the transfers from her running mate Daithí Doolan, who has 10,766 first preference votes to re-take the seat she lost in 2019.
The Green Party’s Ciarán Cuffe came fourth with 32,204 first preferences however it’s less clear where his transfers will come from
The Labour Party’s Aodhán Ó Ríordáin is in fifth place with 30,733 but he’s confident that he will benefit from transfers from the Social Democrats Sinéad Gibney’s 16,319 first preference votes. He could also benefit from transfers from some independents who he shares a geographical area with.
Independent Ireland’s Niall Boylan is in 6th place with 30,637 first preferences. The radio presenter may benefit from elimination of some right leaning and anti-immigration independents but this may not be enough for him to take a seat.
Also hoping for transfers will be sitting Independents for Change MEP Clare Daly and People Before Profit–Solidarity’s Bríd Smith who came 7th and 8th respectively with 26,855 and 21,577 votes.
Read more:
EPP to get 189 seats in EU Parliament, projection says
Sinn Féin to reflect and regroup after election – McDonald
Latest elections 2024 stories
In Ireland South, counting finished up without any completed count. Fine Gael’s Sean Kelly is expected to be elected on the first count. Fianna Fail’s Billy Kelleher is expected to follow, while Independent Michael McNamara is likely to be in third place
In Midlands-North-West, the Independent MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan is tipped to top the poll, when the first count is declared tomorrow.
Seasoned observers believe Fine Gael’s Maria Walsh will retain their seat, with Fianna Fáil’s Barry Cowen also in contention.
Independent Ireland’s Ciaran Mullooly, Fine Gael’s Nina Carberry and Aontú’s Peadar Tóibín are all in the frame for the final two seats, with Mr Mullooly and Ms Carberry appearing to be in a stronger position.
Counts are expected to resume between 9am and 10am.
However with so many candidates and so many preferences to be transferred, they could go on for days to come.
Additional reporting by Mary Regan of RTÉ’s Political staff.
