Poll-topper Healy-Rae still the only candidate elected

What’s the news? Danny Healy-Rae, keeping up with all the election news from the Killarney count centre.
Picture: John Reidy

The result of the third count is still awaited in the general election in Kerry with poll-topper Michael Healy-Rae still the only candidate deemed elected.

His massive surplus of 5,513 was distributed but no other candidate reached the required quota of 13,083.

Sinn Fein’s Pa Daly is closest on 12,272 with Danny Healy-Rae (Ind) on 11,236 and Norma Foley (FF) on 11,099.

The three outgoing TDs in the chase are certain to join Michael Healy-Rae on the return to the Dáil and the final seat will be a head-to-head battle between Michael Cahill (FF) and Billy O’Shea (FG).

Watching the figures: Independent candidate Michelle Keane and tallyman Tadgh Dennehy at the Kerry constituency count centre in Killarney. Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan

Veteran county councillor Cahill is currently on 8,747 and former Kerry footballer O’Shea is at 8,261.

The 500 or so votes between them is likely to prove decisive but O’Shea is defiantly insisting that it is still all to play for.

“It was always going to comedown to a dogfight between myself and Michael,” he said.

The fourth court currently underway is the distribution of the votes Independent Brandon Begley and, earlier, the votes of two other eliminated Independent candidates, Mary Fitzgibbon and John Daly, were shared out,

Michael Healy-Rae was deemed elected just before midnight last night at the general election count centre in Killarney.

Empathy: 2020 Fianna Fáil general election candidate, Cllr Norma Moriarty, Waterville (left) chatting with the Killarney based party candidate, Linda Gordon Kelleher, at the count centre.
Picture: John Reidy

The Independent from Kilgarvan was declared the poll-topper by returning officer Padraig Burke, following a delay due to misplaced ballot papers at the Killarney Sports and Leisure Complex.

Healy-Rae secured a whopping 18,596 votes which was over 5,500 above the quota of 13,083.

Sinn Féin’s Pa Daly was second on 11,647 with Fianna Fáil’s Norma Foley on 10,302.

Next up was Independent Danny Healy-Rae on 8,603 followed closely by Cllr Michael Cahill (FF) on an impressive 8,266 and election debutante Billy O’Shea (FG) on 7,932.

Cahill’s 300 vote advantage over O’Shea could prove crucial as the count continues on Sunday.

Keeping an eye on the preferences as counting of votes continues in the 2024 General Election, Kerry Constituency count centre in Killarney. Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan

FIRST COUNT
Brandon Begley (IFP): 738
Michael Cahill (FF): 8,266
Pa Daly (SF): 11,647
Mary Fitzgibbon (Ind): 469
Norma Foley (FF): 10,302
Linda Gordon Kelleher FF): 2,024
Danny Healy-Rae (Ind): 8,603
Michael Healy-Rae (Ind): 18,596 E
Michelle Keane (Ind): 1,530
Mike Kennedy Lab): 1,826
Thomas McEllistrim (II): 983
Cleo Murphy (GP): 1,982
John O’Leary (Ind): 34
Billy O’Shea (FG): 7,932
Catherina O’Sullivan (Aon): 1,437
Stephanie O’Sullivan (SF): 1,114
Cian Prendiville (PBP): 1,012

The electorate was 120,868, the total poll was 78,999, there were 504 votes deemed invalid and the valid poll was 78,495.

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