2024 General Election – LIVE

Follow along for the latest as we have it!

02:21am: And with that, the 2024 General Election season comes to an end!

02:13am: Fianna Fail Minister Charlie McConalogue has been re-elected to the Dail.

It was a tight battle with Independent Thomas Pringle losing his seat.

Minister McConalogue was elected without meeting the quota alongside Charles Ward, 100% Redress Party.

Himself and Pat the Cope Gallagher have secured two Fianna Fail seats in Donegal.

Minister McConalogue says he looks forward to continuing his commitment to serve Donegal:

 

02:04am: Today is a momentous day for the 100% Redress Party.

Four 100% Redress Party Councillors were elected to Donegal County Council in June. The party has now elected their first TD.

Charles Ward will be the voice for defective block homeowners in Dail Eireann.

The election of the 100% Redress Party candidate sends a strong message to Government that homes need to be repaired.

He says he will give it his all:

 

 

1:54am: Minister Charlie McConalogue holds onto his seat in Donegal

 

1:51am: Significant victory for 100% Redress Party with the election of Charles Ward.

1:26am: The 16th and final count is imminent. 100% Redress Party’s Charles Ward and Minister Charlie McConalogue are to be elected.

1:25am: Councillor Joy Beard conducting the 100% Redress choir

12:40am: Pat the Cope Gallagher says today is not just a victory for him today but for his entire ‘Team Cope’.

Pat the Cope says he will work alongside his fellow Donegal TDs for the best for the people of the county:

 

Monday – 12:32am: Fianna Fail’s Pat the Cope Gallagher is returning to the Dail.

Having lost his seat in the 2020 election he has now been elected on the 15th count in Donegal.

After the distribution of Nikki Bradley’s 6,176 votes, the former Leas Ceann Comhairle was on 13,660 votes – exceeding the quota.

 

11:39pm: Minister Charlie McConalogue says it’s important Donegal has a good representation in Government.

His party, Fianna Fail is set to be the largest party in the 34th Dail and two of those seats look likely to be occupied by himself and Pat the Cope Gallagher.

The defective block issue has been a difficult one for Minister McConalogue to navigate with much push back against him by affected homeowners.

He believes being part of a Government party will be helpful in terms of delivering for the owners of defective block properties:

 

 

11:27pm: Sitting TD Thomas Pringle believes he will be the casualty in Donegal.

He is currently 341 votes ahead of Minister Charlie McConalogue but it’s clear that he doesn’t have enough to get him over the line with the distribution of Fine Gael’s Nikki Bradley’s votes expected to favour Minister McConalogue.

Outgoing Deputy Pringle was first elected to the Dail in 2011.

He says unfortunately he will no longer be that voice for Donegal in Dublin:

 

11:08pm: Nikki Bradley, Fine Gael has been eliminated on the 14th count.

Her 6,176 votes are now being distributed.

It’s anticipated the final three seats will be filled on the next count.

 

9:33pm:  National – 122 out of the 174 seats have now been filled in the 2024 General Election.

Green Party Leader Roderic O’Gorman has so far been the only member of his party to retain his seat in Dublin West.

In Dublin Rathdown, Maeve O’Connell of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail’s Shay Brennan and the Social Democrats Sinead Gibney have been elected.

Returning to Leinster house TD Paul Gogarty has won his seat back in the Dublin Mid West region after an absence of 13 years.

Main Parties Fianna Fail and Fine Gael remain closely tied with final seats in constituencies still to come in.

9:09pm: Minister Charlie McConalogue has arrived at the count centre in Letterkenny. It’s not over until it’s declared by the returning officer but he looks set to retain his seat. It may come down to a tight battle between himself and Independent Thomas Pringle for the last seat.

8:50pm: Mary T Sweeney has conceded and is no longer seeking a recount.

With just three votes between herself and Fine Gael’s John McNulty she earlier presented a case for a recount to officials.

The Donegal Aontú representative says she takes comfort in the large volume of transfers Charles Ward of the 100% Redress Party has received from her:

 

8:18pm: Charles Ward continues to make strides in his bid to secure a Dail seat.

He received 1,318 transfers from the distribution of Mary T Sweeney’s votes and is now ahead of Minister Charlie McConalogue.

Fine Gael’s John McNulty has been eliminated on the 12th count.

His 3,434 votes are now being distributed.

7:54pm: Latest tally figures show a huge chunk of the distribution of Mary T Sweeney’s vote will go to Charles Ward, 100% Redress Party.

We are expecting an official announcement shortly.

7:08pm: 100% Redress Party candidate Charles Ward getting elected to the Dail would be an ‘evolution’.

That’s the view of the Chair of the Mica Action Group.

After the 11th count, it looks like the 100% Redress Party candidate could secure one of the three remaining seats in Donegal, possibly at the expense of sitting TD Thomas Pringle. Charles Ward is currently 2,009 votes ahead of Pringle.

Lisa Hone says if the 100% Redress Party manages to get a TD elected, it will be huge for the campaign:

 

6:55pm: Mary T Sweeney may be granted a recount of Niall McConnell’s votes. Awaiting official confirmation. She has been consulting with her party leader Peadar Toibin.

6:52pm: Aontú’s Mary T Sweeney is seeking a recount in Donegal.

She has just been eliminated on the 11th count.

However, three votes separate herself and the next candidate with the lowest number of votes – John McNulty, Fine Gael.

Will she be granted it considering she is not in contention for a seat?

6:45pm: There are now just 65 votes between Minister Charlie McConalogue and 100% Redress Party candidate Charles Ward who is now hot on the tails of Minister McConalogue. Meanwhile, Mr Ward just over 2,000 votes ahead of sitting Independent TD Thomas Pringle.

6:34pm: Aontú’s Mary T Sweeney has been eliminated on the 11th count.

She finished on 3,376 votes. Her votes are now being distributed.

6:00pm: Cllrs Thomas Sean Devine and Ali Farren are keeping a close eye on proceedings.

5:43pm: Niall McConnell’s votes are now being distributed. It’s understood from earlier tallies that a lot of McConnell’s transfers are going to Charles Ward, 100% Redress Party. It could potentially come down to a battle for the fifth and final seat between Thomas Pringle, Independent and Minister Charlie McConalogue if that turns out to be the case.

5:38pm: National – Gerry Hutch has failed in his bid to become a TD.

He was edged out in Dublin Central by Labour’s Marie Sherlock.

It took until the final count and the distribution of Paschal Donohoe’s surplus but Labour’s Sherlock edged the Monk to take a Dáil seat.

Across the country almost 90 seats have been filled with races tightening for final seats in a number of areas.

Just 13 seats remain too difficult to call in contests up and down the country.

Fianna Fail will be the largest party after this election likely followed by Sinn Féin and Fine Gael.

Labour and the Soc Dems are also locked in a battle to be biggest of the small parties, both ranging between eight and ten seats.

5:29pm: Results of 10th count in Donegal – Independent, Niall McConnell eliminated.

His 2,185 votes will now be distributed among the remaining 8 candidates.

Thomas Pringle received the largest share (21%) of the distribution of Nuala Carr and Carol Gallagher’s votes.

5:14pm: Three seats remain unfilled in Donegal. Pat the Cope Gallagher is expected to take the third seat while the battle for the fourth and fifth continues. As it stands, based on figures the ninth count Minister Charlie McConalogue is 706 votes ahead of Charles Ward, 100% Redress Party while Mr Ward is 1,807 votes ahead of Independent, Thomas Pringle. Transfers will play an interesting part in who secures those final seats.

4:26pm: Nuala Carr, Green Party and Carol Gallagher, People Before Profit eliminated on 9th count.

Their combined vote of 1,638 will now be distributed among the remaining candidates.

3:38pm: Kim McMenamin of the Irish Freedom Party has been eliminated on the eighth count. His 621 votes will now be distributed as no candidate reached the quota.

3:27pm: It has been a tough weekend for Fine Gael in Donegal.

Despite fielding two candidates, the party has failed to hold onto its seat in the county.

The Dail seat was last won by Joe McHugh who stepped away from the party over two years ago.

John McNulty has not yet been eliminated and currently sits on 3,277 however he is a long way behind the 12,771 quota. He will be eliminated as the day continues.

He says it’s clear the electorate have spoken:

 

3:06pm: ‘The Cope’ making a comeback. Pat the Cope Gallagher, Fianna Fail is on 10,667 votes after the seventh count in Donegal. He is still short of the quota of 12,771 but having lost his seat in 2020 he is set to be returned to the Dail this time.

2:57pm: Eamon McGee, Irish Freedom Party has been eliminated on the seventh count. His 442 votes will now be distributed as no candidate has been elected.

2:28pm: Independent candidate Gerry McKeever says he is disappointed as he is eliminated on sixth count.

The Letterkenny businessman finished secured a total of 378 votes.

When asked if he has any more political aspirations, he wasn’t sure:

 

1:59pm: Independent, Frank O’Donnell has not ruled out running for election again.

The former Chair of the Michael Collins/ Dr McGinley branch of Fine Gael in Letterkenny was eliminated on the fifth count on 337 votes.

He stepped away from the party a matter of weeks ago based on his unhappiness with decisions being taken by Fine Gael at national level.

Mr O’Donnell believes the party needs to listen to grassroot members:

 

1:37pm: Donegal’s Green Party candidate believes the party needs to think long term.

Nuala Carr has not yet been officially eliminated but currently sits on 905 votes.

She says the party has achieved a lot during their time in Government as a small party.

The Green Party has yet to secure a Dail seat in this General Election.

Ms Carr says she is content with her performance:

 

1:32pm: Independent Frank O’Donnell has been eliminated on the fifth count.

Counts are continuing to come in thick and fast this afternoon.

So as of now the race is on to see how close to an overall majority Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil can get.

On current projections the two Government parties will have at least 83 seats – with a majority in the next Dáil being 87.

There are a number of seats across the country which could still fall for the Government.

Sinn Féin is likely to finish in the region of 40 seats.

While the Soc Dems could have up to 10 and Labour won’t be far behind.

There’s now a good chance of Aontú making a breakthrough and taking a second seat, this one in Mayo.

But it will be into tomorrow before we have the final make up of the 34th Dail.

12:46am: No candidate has been elected on the fourth count.

As there is no surplus of votes to be distributed following the distribution of Arthur Desmond McGuinnes (35) and Vincent J Bradley (116) , the votes of the candidate with the lowest number of votes – Claudia Kennedy, Fianna Fail (292) will now be distributed.

12:21am: Fourth count due shortly

11:55am: The majority of the surplus of Sinn Féin’s Padraig MacLochlainn has stayed with the party. Noel Jordan received a 66% share of his surplus. Minister Charlie McConalogue received 10 votes from the results of the distribution of MacLochlainn’s surplus, keeping him ahead in the standings between Charles Ward, 100% Redress Party and Independent Thomas Pringle who both received a greater share.

11:48am: No candidate has been elected on the third count.

The votes of the two candidates with the lowest number of votes – Independent Arthur Desmond McGuinness (35) and Vincent J Bradley (116) will now be distributed.

11:13am: Charles Ward of the 100% Redress Party says he is ‘optimistic’ as day two of counting is underway in Donegal.

Yesterday, based on the first tally of votes, there was some disappointment however, the picture changed throughout the day when the first and second official count was confirmed and gave an insight into where he would possibly receive transfers.

Mr Ward currently sits on 7,236 votes and he is tipped to be in a battle for one of the final seats.

He narrowly missed out on a Council seat having ran in June’s local elections in the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District.

The 100% Redress candidate says the main aim is to get homes fixed to allow people move on with their lives:

 

 

10:43am: Counting has resumed right across the country as Ireland elects its next Dáil.

So far more than 40 TDs have been elected.

Figures suggest just 20 of the 174 seats are still very undecided.

On the numbers, Fianna Fáil will have at least 45 seats, Fine Gael 37 and Sinn Féin 38 – with all being in play for a few more.

There will be at least 7 for the Social Democrats and another 7 for Labour, four for Independent Ireland, 13 Independents, 2 PBP and one seat for Aontú.

10:41am: Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty secured the highest vote in the country. He topped the poll in Donegal with 18,998 first preference votes.

10:34am: It’s day two of counting at the Aura Leisure Centre, Letterkenny.

It was a long day yesterday with proceedings wrapped up shortly before 2am.

Two of the five seats available in the Donegal constituency have been filled so far.

Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty has topped the poll with 18,998 first preference votes.

His running mate, Padraig MacLochlainn secured the second seat after the surplus of Deputy Doherty’s votes were distributed and counted.

This morning begins now with the counting of Padraig MacLochlainn’s 324 surplus votes.

With three seats remaining vacant it’s still all to play for in Donegal.

Pat the Cope Gallagher of Fianna Fail is on course to be the next candidate elected. After the second count, the veteran politician sits on 10,504. He still needs a haul of transfers to get him to the quota of 12,771. It is unlikely that he will be elected before a number of further counts.

As it stands, it looks like it could be a fight between Fianna Fail Minister Charlie McConalogue, Charles Ward, 100% Redress Party and Independent Thomas Pringle for the last seat.

There is much speculation as to who will secure the final two seats. Thomas Pringle’s team are of the belief that they can hoover up enough transfers to get himself and Charles Ward over the line while the Fianna Fail camp say Minister McConalogue has a ‘significant cushion’ that will help him hold onto his seat.

Yesterday, Sinn Féin were hopeful they may have secured a third seat in with Noel Jordan. They have taken Cllr Jordan’s total of 4,405 votes to date as a positive, considering the last time the party ran a three candidate strategy, Padraig MacLochlainn lost his seat.

10:10am: Counting set to resume.

02:08am: Counting will resume tomorrow morning at 10am.

1:54am: Padraig MacLochlainn has been elected on the second count in Donegal.

He takes the second constituencey seat and follows Sinn Fein party colleague Pearse Doherty over the line.

Deputy MacLochlainn received 3,296 votes from the distribution of Deputy Doherty’s surplus, taking him over the quota on 13,095 votes.

Speaking just after he was elected, Deputy MacLochlainn paid tribute to those most important to him:

 

 

1:46am: Sinn Féin’s Padraig MacLochlainn takes the second seat in Donegal.

 

1:05am: A lot of count staff here at the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny that have distances to travel home have been discharged.

It’s anticipated counting will finish after the second count this morning with proceedings to get underway tomorrow morning again at 10am.

 

12:42am: Counting will resume across the country later this morning but in Letterkenny it is continuing as we speak.

In the region of a quarter of seats in the 34th Dáil have been filled so far.

By the end of Sunday a very clear picture of what the next Dáil will look like will emerge.

12:36am: Fianna Fail Senator Niall Blaney who is Minister Charlie McConalogue’s Director of Election is of the opinion that Minister McConalogue will take the fourth seat in Donegal.

Senator Blaney says based on tallies, Minister McConalogue would have a ‘significant cushion’ on Charles Ward and Thomas Pringle.

12:22am: Thomas Pringle’s camp have been crunching figures from the surplus of Pearse Doherty’s vote and by their calculations Thomas Pringle and 100% Redress Party Charles Ward could secure the last two seats at the expense of Minister Charlie McConalogue.

Sunday, December 1st – 12:15am: Shortly after Returning Officer Geraldine O’Connor took to the stage earlier to declare the results of the first count the fire alarm went off, bringing proceedings to a halt.

 

11:53pm: Returning Officer Geraldine O’Connor

11:47pm: The turnout figure in Donegal is 58.9%.

131,306 people were registered to vote in the county with 77,321 voting.

The number of invalid votes is 797, making the total valid poll 76,624.

The quota is Donegal is 12,771.

11:37pm: The surplus of Pearse Doherty’s votes are now being sorted

11:31pm: Pearse Doherty has been elected on the first count in Donegal.

The Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson received 18,898 votes.

With the quota 12,771, Pearse Doherty has a surplus of 6,127 votes.

Speaking just after being elected, he says the work starts for him now:

 

 

11:15pm: Pearse Doherty has been elected on the first count in Donegal, topping the poll.

 

10:59pm: Pearse Doherty and his team have gathered and are patiently waiting on the returning officer to take to the stage.

10:57pm: False alarm. Informed the first count will be another 10 minutes!

10:26pm: First count imminent

10:14pm: Charlie McConalogue has arrived at the count centre in Letterkenny.

9:49pm: People Before Profit candidate Carol Gallagher has thanked those who came out and supported her at the ballot box in Donegal.

According to final tallies, she received 602 first preference votes. Ms Gallagher has congratulated and thanked all the election workers at the Aura Leisure Centre today. She says their work often goes unrecognised.

9:40pm: Fine Gael Leader Simon Harris, in Wicklow, has been elected to the 34th Dail.

9:15pm: Still awaiting a first count in Donegal. Based on tallies, Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty is set to top the poll.

9:02pm: 12 TDs have been elected to the 34th Dail, as counting continues around the country.

Sinn Féin currently have the highest number of seats with 6, however there’s still a long way to go.

Some big elections in the last hour including that of Mary Lou McDonald in Dublin Central.

Sinn Féin also getting good news in Waterford, where they’re now on to take two seats.

In other constituencies there’s a Government bonus – in Dublin Bay North there looks set to be an extra seat between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.

The same thing could happen in Limerick City where it’s the Government vs the left.

And Fine Gael could be on for a second seat in the Taoiseach’s constituency in Wicklow.

Ballot boxes opened 12 hours ago now.

8:52pm: Pearse Doherty said if elected to the Dail he will be the next Finance Minister.

Well, he’s set to top the poll in Donegal.

As Sinn Féin Deputy leader in the Dail, Deputy Doherty will be front and centre in talks to form the next Government if his party manages to secure the largest number of Dail seats.

Commenting on his success in his home constituency, he says he’s ‘humbled’:

 

8:34pm: Outgoing Fine Gael TD, Joe McHugh says it’s a ‘bittersweet’ day for him.

In May 2022 Deputy McHugh announced that he was stepping away from politics.

He previously took a stand in voting against the Government in the controversial Enhanced Defective Concrete Block scheme, which he said didn’t go far enough.

Senator Nikki Bradley and John McNulty are battling it out to retain the Fine Gael seat in Donegal. However, they appear to have fallen short.

Deputy McHugh has praised their efforts:

7:47pm: At least they’re all smiling

7:40pm: Padraig MacLochlainn looks set to take the second Sinn Féin seat in Donegal.

He was first elected to the Dail in 2011 but lost his seat in the 2016 General Election.

The huge surplus from his party colleague Pearse Doherty is expected to take him over the line.

Padraig MacLochlainn, Sinn Fein’s Dail Whip says in terms of forming the next Government it’s all to play for:

 

7:18pm: Pat the Cope Gallagher believes it will be down to ‘the wire’ to secure two Fianna Fail seats in Donegal.

The party ran three candidates in the constituency with Charlie McConalogue and Claudia Kennedy also on the ticket.

Tallies indicate Claudia Kennedy has secured just 297 votes. She’s a long shot off but Pat the Cope is on 13.2% while Charlie McConalogue is trailing slightly behind on 10.4%.

It will take transfers to get Charlie McConalogue over the line alongside Pat the Cope Gallagher who hasn’t ruled it out:

6:39pm: Sinn Féin Councillor Jack Murray, Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District says it will be a ‘difficult path to power’ but his party will be speaking to a number of other parties if they secure the majority of Dail seats.

He has expressed his confidence in party leader Mary Lou McDonald:

 

6:02pm: Pat the Cope Gallagher has arrived at the count centre. He’s in good spirits given he is sitting on 13.2% and is expected to be returned to the Dail.

5:44pm: Pensive thoughts for Charles Ward of the 100% Redress Party.

 

5:31pm: Senator Nikki Bradley has conceded that she will not take a Dail seat.

She was appointed to the Seanad by Taoiseach Simon Harris in July.

Senator Bradley says she is proud of what the party has achieved today despite Fine Gael set to lose its seat.

However, she said negative attitudes in Donegal need to change:

 

4:20pm: The counting of Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty’s votes is now underway. He is expected to top the poll here in Donegal. Attention will then turn to who will benefit from his transfers.

4:05pm: Nine Donegal electoral areas are in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency.

Marian Harkin, Independent may be in trouble. She’s currently sitting on 7.6%. She faces a struggle to hold onto her Dail seat along with Independent Ireland’s Michael Clarke on 10.5%.

Fine Gael’s Frank Feighan meanwhile, is well positioned to top the poll securing 15.8% based on latest tally figures.

Sinn Féin’s Martin Kenny is on 13.6% and Fianna Fáil’s Eamon Scanlon is on 10.4%.

A second Sinn Féin candidate, former MEP Chris MacManus polled well in Sligo town and is sitting on 9.1%.

Fianna Fáil’s, Edel McSharry is on 7.8% while party colleague Paddy O’Rourke is on 7.2%.

3:49pm: The Highland team crunching figures along with Fianna Fail Councillor Martin McDermott and Independent candidate, Arthur Desmond McGuinness

3:40pm: The final tally figures are as stands:

Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin – 19,213 (24.7%)

Pat the Cope Gallagher, Fianna Fail – 10,262 (13.2%)

Padraig MacLochlainn, Sinn Féin – 9,879 (12.7%)

Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fail – 8,100 (10.4%)

Charles Ward, 100% Redress Party – 6,857 (8.8%)

Thomas Pringle, Independent – 5,344 (6.9%)

Nikki Bradley, Fine Gael – 3,680 (4.7%)

Noel Jordan, Sinn Féin – 3,382 (4.4%)

John McNulty, Fine Gael – 3,365 (4.3%)

Mary T Sweeney, Aontú – 2,481 (3.2%)

Niall McConnell, Independent – 1,572 (2.0%)

Nuala Carr, Green Party – 895 (1.2%)

Carol Gallagher, People Before Profit – 602 (0.8%)

Kim McMenamin, Irish Peoples Party/ National Alliance – 540 (0.7%)

Eamon McGee, Irish Freedom Party – 384 (0.5%)

Gerry McKeever, Independent – 364 (0.5%)

Frank O’Donnell, Independent – 328 (0.4%)

Claudia Kennedy, Fianna Fail – 297 (0.4%)

Vincent Bradley, Independent – 141 (0.2%)

Arthur McGuinness, Independent – 61 (0.1%)

You can view the tally figures here

3:20pm: The ballot boxes have been opened and the votes are now being sorted. A first count is still not expected until later this evening.

 

3:12pm: ‘Maybe there’s lessons to be learnt’.

That’s the view of Fine Gael Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh.

First tallies indicate Fine Gael will lose it’s Dail seat in Donegal which will be a bruising result for the party.

They ran two candidates in a bid to retain outgoing Joe McHugh’s seat but as it stands it doesn’t appear to have paid off.

Councillor Kavanagh says the party will need to take stock after today’s result:

 

2:57pm: Aontú’s Mary T Sweeney is currently on a 3.3% share of votes according to first tallies.

Ballot boxes from Stranorlar have yet to be opened.

The party’s Tricia Nesbitt says Mary T Sweeney is holding her own:

 

 

2:31pm: Looking at the national picture. We’re waiting for first counts – with final tallies coming in from centres across the country.

Overall it’s looking like a bad day for the Green Party while the larger parties have cause for optimism.

Sinn Féin has a very real chance of being the largest party in the next Dáil – it’s looking like it will pick up seats in a number of Dublin constituencies as well as Galway East and a second seat in Waterford.

Fine Gael’s new candidates have also performed well and it looks like the party will hold most of its seats and maybe pick up a handful.

Fianna F áil will still be in the mix but is facing a harder day.

The Greens could well return with no seats with Roderic O’Gorman really the only live possibility – and he in a dogfight.

Some constituencies like Wicklow Wexford are clear cut with one for each of the larger parties.

Others like Dublin South Central have eight or nine candidates genuinely in play for four seats

2:03pm: It’s lunchtime for count staff.

1:51pm: Fine Gael look to be struggling in Donegal.

Senator Nikki Bradley currently has a 5.5% share of the vote according to latest tallies.

Former Fine Gael Councillor Barry Sweeney is part of Senator Nikki Bradley’s campaign team. He says introducing two new candidates was a challenge:

 

1:07pm: Thomas Pringle has increased his vote in parts of Inishowen and Letterkenny.

He is on is on 6.9% but his focus will be on how many votes he can get under his belt in his own area of South Donegal.

With Sinn Féin confident they can get Noel Jordan over the line, Thomas Pringle’s camp will be watching closely as to how that plays out.

His Director of Elections and former Councillor John Campbell says Jordan along with Fine Gael’s John McNulty will be the two to watch for them:

 

 

12:53pm: Sinn Féin are confident they can secure three seats in Donegal.

As it stands around lunchtime here in the count centre at Aura Leisure Centre, Sinn Féin, according to tally figures, are sitting on 43%.

Pearse Doherty is polling well right across the county with Padraig MacLochlainn cleaning up in Inishowen.

Noel Jordan meanwhile, is picking up a steady flow of votes as more boxes are opened.

The last time Sinn Féin ran a three candidate race, Padraig MacLochlainn lost his seat.

Sinn Fein Councillor John Sheamais O’Fearraigh, Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District thinks it will be different this time round:

 

12:10pm: A calm looking Pearse Doherty. He’s currently on 19.2%, according to tallies. Sinn Féin is on course to be the top party in Donegal.

12:07pm: The Fianna Fail vote in Inishowen is down around 20%.

Senator Niall Blaney, who is Charlie McConalogue and Pat the Cope Gallagher’s Director of Elections says securing a majority of votes in McConalogue’s backyard would have been crucial however, he says it is manageable:

 

 

11:26am: Ballot boxes from South Donegal are now being opened. Thomas Pringle’s camp seem quietly confident that they will fair okay in his area. In one box from Dunkineely, he received the highest number of votes followed by Pat the Cope Gallagher and Fine Gael’s John McNulty. Elsewhere, in Barnesmore, Sinn Féin have pulled in more votes. According to latest tallies, Pearse Doherty has secured good support, followed again by Fianna Fail’s Pat the Cope Gallagher and party colleague Charlie McConalogue. Charles Ward of the 100% Redress Party has pulled in some votes in the South of the county also.

10:55am: While the big story during the local election in June was the success of the 100% Redress Party in Donegal, it doesn’t look to be the case this time round.

It is still very early days but particularly in the Inishowen area where it was expected Charles Ward would have received a huge share of the vote, Sinn Féin appears to be coming out on top.

100% Redress Party PRO, Councillor Ali Farren says it is still all to play for. However, he says he’s disappointed at the apparent lack of support from defective block homeowners:

 

10:39am: In Culdaff, Fianna Fail’s Charlie McConalogue’s home area Padraig MacLochlainn has over taken him. Tallies in other parts of Inishowen show that voters have chosen to vote number 1 and 2 Sinn Féin with number 3 going to 100% Redress Party candidate Charles Ward.

10:18am: As it stands, 20 boxes have been opened. Sinn Féin is out in the lead with Padraig MacLochlainn securing almost 38% of the Inishowen vote according to tallies. The 100% Redress Party which would’ve been expected to have secured a good share of votes in the area is currently on 11.6%.

09:43am: Still very very early days here in Letterkenny with only four boxes from Inishowen opened so far. However, Charles Ward of the 100% Redress Party does not seem to have secured as many votes as what may have anticipated given that the defective concrete block crisis has such a high concentration in the peninsula. Sinn Féin is going strong with Pearse Doherty also securing a good amount of votes.

09:31am: Team Cope tallying

09:27am: Ballot boxes from Inishowen are the first to be opened this morning. Very early indications show Sinn Féin’s Padraig MacLochlainn polling very well so far.

09:24am: Last night’s exit poll shows Sinn Féin in the lead at 21.1%.

The IPSOS B&A exit poll for RTE, TG-4 the Irish Times and Trinity College Dublin has shown Fine Gael on 21% and Fianna Fail on 19.5%.

Social Democrats are at 5.8%, Labour stands at 5% with the Greens at 4%.

09:12am: The count staff are poised and ready.

08:40am: Crowds are gathering outside Aura Leisure Centre, Letterkenny waiting for the doors to open at 9am.

08:30am: The people have had their say at the ballot box.

It’s now time to find out who will be elected to Dáil Éireann in the Donegal constituency.

20 candidates are vying for 5 seats. They are:

Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin

Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fáil

Thomas Pringle, Independent

Padraig MacLochlainn, Sinn Féin

Nikki Bradley, Fine Gael

Pat the Cope Gallagher, Fianna Fáil

Mary T Sweeney, Aontú

Charles Ward, 100% Redress Party

John McNulty, Fine Gael

Gerry McKeever, Independent

Noel Jordan, Sinn Féin

Claudia Kennedy, Fianna Fáil

Niall McConnell, Independent

Kim McMenamin, The Irish People/ National Alliance

Arthur Desmond McGuinness, Independent

Carol Gallagher, People Before Profit

Vincent J Bradley, Independent

Nuala Carr, Green Party

Frank O’Donnell, Independent

Eamon McGee, The Irish Freedom Party