Sligo - North Leitrim

Fianna Fáil took two of the three seats in this newly-drawn constituency where the much anticipated battle for the final seat failed to materialise.

As predicted, sitting TDs Dr Jimmy Devins of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's John Perry retained their seats. The big surprise was the performance of sitting Fianna Fáil Senator Eamon Scanlon who topped the poll with 9,258 first preferences - over 2,000 more than his running mate. It was a disappointing day for Fine Gael who despite having increased their vote by 15 per cent - compared to about 1 per cent for Fianna Fáil - never came close to taking the last seat.

IFA stalwart Michael Comiskey who polled almost 5,000 first preferences on his first electoral outing had hoped to benefit more from being the only Leitrim candidate, given the anger there about the county being carved between two constituencies.

But tallies showed him getting just 40 per cent of the Leitrim vote with Senator Eamon Scanlon getting 25 per cent and Sinn Féin over 18 per cent. Both Comiskey and Sligo-based councillor Imelda Henry, who polled just over 2,800 first preferences, were critical of the party's three-candidate strategy and both have now expressed an interest in getting a nomination to run for the Seanad.

Probably the most disappointed candidate was Sinn Féin's Seán Mac Manus who all the pundits believed had a very real chance of taking the seat being vacated by Independent MEP Marian Harkin.

Overall change: Independent loss, FG gain

Outgoing TDs

Jimmy Devins FF

John PerryFF

Marian Harkin Ind