Galway West: Govt Chief Whip in serious trouble

Tally figures put the Moycullen-based politician, on 8.6%, almost 300 votes behind his colleague, Hildegarde Naughton (9.4%).

In 2016, the duo bucked the national trend for Fine Gael by retaining two seats, one more than Fianna Fáil, even though they had a lower percentage share of the vote in this constituency.

This time, however, with just 18% of the vote, Fine Gael hasn’t enough support to hold two. Kyne is the most vulnerable, as Naughton is city-based and is expected to attract more city transfers.

A first count is not expect until later this evening.

With 99% of the boxes tallied, Éamon Ó Cuív (FF), 14.5%; Maireád Farrell SF, 14%, and Noel Grealish (Ind), 13.4%, look likely to be elected. Catherine Connolly (Ind), 8.9% also looks likely to hold the seat she won in 2016, with Naughton then poised to take the ‘Fine Gael’ seat.

Ollie Crowe (FF) on 8.4% remains a dark horse and outside chance of taking a seat – although the transfers would have to fall very kindly.