A recount of votes to determine who will win the last county council seat in Laois is likely to be called early this afternoon when the count resumes in Portlaoise. Two candidates, John Bohan (FG) and Larry Kavanagh (Labour) have each polled 794 votes. A decision will be made later today on which of them will receive a surplus of one vote from the last elected candidate, Martin Rohan.
An examination of that surplus vote was being undertaken last night by the returning officer, Mr Louis Brennan, who adjourned the count until 2 p.m. today because the count did not finish in Portlaoise until nearly 5 a.m. yesterday. It is likely that when the declaration is made, the defeated candidate will call for a recount.
The seat is particularly important to the Labour Party because if it fails to secure it will have no representation on any of the elected bodies in the county.