Seanad election: Former Sinn Féin TD Pauline Tully wins seat

Recount for seat on Cultural and Educational vocation panel to take place at 9.30am

Pauline Tully topped the poll. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Photos
Pauline Tully topped the poll. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

Former Fianna Fáil TD for Longford-Westmeath Joe Flaherty has failed in his bid to win a Seanad seat as counting continued for the Cultural and Educational vocational panel.

Outgoing Fianna Fáil Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, who came in a fraction of a vote behind Independent Co Waterford Cllr Joe Conway, has requested a recount of the 18th count, which begins at 9.30am.

Former Sinn Féin Cavan-Monaghan TD Pauline Tully who topped the poll just two votes shy of the 191 quota and Fine Gael Wexford Cllr Cathal Byrne have been elected to the five-seat panel.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Shane Curley and outgoing Fine Gael Senator Seán Kyne look set to be re-elected.

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Meanwhile, a recount has been requested for the final seat on the Trinity panel after just 31 votes separated Green Party councillor Hazel Chu and entrepreneur Aubrey McCarthy on the 15th and final count.

Mr McCarthy had 3,741 votes while Ms Chu ended the last count with 3,710 votes following the distribution of former rugby international Hugo MacNeill’s vote after his elimination on the 14th count.

The recount, if granted, will start later on Friday.

Marie O'Halloran

Marie O'Halloran

Marie O'Halloran is Parliamentary Correspondent of The Irish Times