MacSharry leads the way in Sligo-Leitrim

Damian McCarney

 

After the first tallies have been counted Marc MacSharry of Fianna Fáil looks set to be elected in Sligo-Leitrim. The son of former finance minister and agriculture commissioner Ray MacSharry secured an impressive 8,763 (14%).

His Fianna Fáil running mates Eamon Scanlon and Paddy O'Rourke fared slightly less well with 5765 (9%), and 5,174 (8%) respectively, but one of them stands a good chance of winning the fourth seat. 

Fine Gael's three contenders enjoyed relatively even splits of the vote, although it may surprise some commentators that Ballinamore based candidate Gerry Reynolds leads the way for the party with 6,505 (11%) followed by Tony McLoughlin 6083 (10%) and finally John Perry 4,298 (7%).

Sinn Féin's Martin Kenny was tipped to get a seat ahead of the elections, and he's well positioned to fulfil that promise with 6,709 first preference votes (10%), particularly given his running mate Chris MacManus has 4,721 (8%). 

The tough election Labour's endured nationally is reflected in Susan O'Rourke's vote with 5,714. With no running mate to supply transfers, it is unlikely the former senator will get anywhere near the quota, projected to be arpund 12,400. Likewise for prominent Independent candidates Declan Bree 3,176 (5%) and Marie Casserly 2675 (4%).

First official count not expected until later this evening, and no one will be elected. With 17 candidates standing no-one is expecting this hotchpotch constituency to be completed tonight.