Fine Gael’s Conor Bergin has topped the poll in the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District with a massive 1,606 first preference votes, almost 700 more than what he got on his first attempt in 2019.
The quota is 1,712 votes for six seats, meaning Bergin is 106 votes off being elected.
The electorate was 21,113 with a total poll of 12,126 and a valid poll of 11,979. That means turnout is at 57.4%, well above the national average.
Long-serving Rosenallis-based Fianna Fáil councillor Seamus McDonald, who was first elected in 1985, is currently in seventh place after the first count – but he should be safe given the sheer volume of votes that will come into play from the three eliminated FF candidates who are below him and not in contention for a seat.
Paddy Buggy from Mountmellick has polled very well for Fine Gael in what is his third time to run – but without a running mate beneath him, nor a colleague with a large surplus, or a transfer-friendly neighbour, he is set to miss out.
Outgoing councillors James Kelly (Independent), Ollie Clooney (Independent), Paddy Bracken (Fianna Fail) and John King (Fine Gael) are all on course to retain their seats.
The disappointment for Sinn Fein has been confirmed – with Lorna Holohan-Garry’s vote falling from 2019 while Helen Campion in Rathdowney won’t be in the running either.
With no candidate having reached the quota, the lowest-placed will now be eliminated. That is Bryan Corrigan from the Labour party.
- Conor Bergin (FG) – 1,606
- Paddy Bracken (FF) – 1,452
- James Kelly (Ind) – 1,408
- John King (FG) – 1,353
- Ollie Clooney (Ind) – 1,245
- Paddy Buggy (FG) – 1,111
- Seamus McDonald (FF) – 1,091
- Brian Phelan (FF) – 585
- Fintan Cuddy (FF) – 556
- Lorna Holohan-Garry (SF) – 453
- Helen Campion (SF) – 419
- Declan Good (FF) – 278
- Kevin Drennan (Ind) – 192
- Fiona Dunne (Green) – 121
- Bryan Corrigan (Lab) – 99
SEE ALSO – Graiguecullen-Portarlington: First count announced as McEvoy tops the poll and all outgoing candidates set to be returned
