In the North West constituency, outgoing MEPs Independent Marian Harkin and Jim Higgins of Fine Gael say they expect to be returned along with Pat “The Cope” Gallagher of Fianna Fáil.
However, supporters of Libertas leader Declan Ganley, who came fourth in estimates of first preference votes, are insisting he remains in contention for a seat in the European Parliament.
Ms Harkin was the latest candidate to arriving at the count centre in the TF Royal Theatre, shortly before 5pm.
“Until the votes are counted nobody knows. I don’t know, Declan Ganley doesn’t know, nobody knows. But we can all make our suppositions and propositions and my proposition is that I feel very hopeful that I will take a seat here this evening or tomorrow,” she said.
Supporters of Mr Higgins also said they believed he would be returned, along with Mr Gallagher.
Sketchy tallies from yesterday meant the situation in Castlebar was confusing in the early part of the day.
However, by late afternoon, the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Harkin camps had agreed on a tally incorporating yesterday's estimates of first preferences and number two votes observed today.
These figures suggested Mr Gallagher may have 109,658 votes, Mr Higgins had 108,062, Ms Harkin had 107,779 and Mr Ganley had 77,942.
According to the figures, Fine Gael's Joe O'Reilly was transferring strongly to Mr Higgins, while Mr Gallagher was benefitting from transfers from his running mate Paschal Mooney.
