Fianna Fáil top the poll on Cork's northside

Fianna Fáil has secured a major victory on Cork's northside this morning, topping the polls in both the North West and North East wards.

Sitting councillor Tony Fitzgerald is set to be reelected once the counting of votes continues for the North West ward today.

He is just 21 votes short of the 1,683 quota.

"I'm really thrilled and delighted. I want to thank the people of the North West ward for their support," he said.

"This was a major challenge. Now our challenge is to ensure our communities get the services that they deserve and work closely with them in the new council," he said.

Cllr Fitzgerald is followed by Sinn Féin's Thomas Gould (1,402), Sinn Féin's Kenneth Collins (1,147), Fianna Fáil's John Sheehan (1,023), Fine Gael's Damian Boylan (1,059) and Solidarity's Fiona Ryan (885).

In the North East ward, Cllr Ken O'Flynn spoke of his delight after topping the poll but also short of a full quota on the first count.

"It's an extremely humbling experience to be given the top position by the people and to be made a champion of their beliefs.

"I'm moved by it but I'm deeply humbled by it."

"My vote has been consistently strong across the ward. I've canvassed the highways and byways. People wanted somebody with experience as the city expands," he said.