Galway West 1st Count: O'Flaherty eliminated
Éamon Ó Cuív has topped the poll in Galway West, taking 8,522 first preferences on the first count. The Fianna Fáil TD, who is over 1,500 shy of the quota 10,057, is ahead of Sinn Féin’s Mairéad Farrell, who is in line to take a seat for the party in this constituency for the first time ever. Ms Farrell took 8,464 first preferences. Noel Grealish (Ind), despite doomsday predictions that he would lose his seat, is third with 8,043 votes on the first count. Next is Catherine Connolly (Ind) and Hildegarde Naughton (FG) on 5,439 and 5,609 respectively, who are battling to retain their seats. Fine Gael TD, Sean Kyne (FG) with just 5,284 first preferences, is in trouble. Ollie Crowe (FF) with 5,175 is still in with an outside chance. Nobody elected on the first count. Daragh O’Flaherty (Ind) was eliminated and his 318 votes will now be transferred.
Seats: 5 Electorate: 104,825 Total Poll: 60,764 Spoiled: 423 Total valid poll: 60,341 Quota: 10,057
FIRST COUNT Cuív, Éamon Ó (FF): 8,522 Farrell, Maireád (SF): 8,464 Grealish, Noel (Ind): 8,043 Naughton, Hildegarde (FG): 5,609 Connolly, Catherine (Ind): 5,439 Kyne, Seán (FG): 5,284 Crowe, Ollie (FF): 5,175 O’Reilly, Pauline (Green): 3,650 Ó Tuathail, Niall (Soc Dem): 3,623 Cubbard, Mike (Ind): 2,676 McNelis, Níall (Lab): 1,548 Corcoráin, Cormac Ó (Aontu): 1,058 Burke, Conor (Sol): 495 Loughnane, Joe (PBP): 437 Flaherty, Darragh (Ind): 318 ELIM