Five councillors elected in west Cork as counting continues

Sun, 26 May, 2019 - 10:55

Grainne McGuinness

Counting is underway in Clonakilty this morning, after a late night that saw five councillors elected across the three wards of west Cork.

In the Bantry-West Cork LEA, Independent Danny Collins was close to 1,000 votes over quota and was the only councillor elected in the ward. There are three more seats to be filled, with current County Mayor Patrick Gerard Murphy closest to the quota.

Christopher O'Sullivan, (FF) with family and friends after his election at local electoral area, for Skibbereen -West Cork at the count centre at Clonakilty community centre last night. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Fianna Fáil's Gillian Coughlan topped the poll in the Bandon-Kinsale LEA and both she and Independent Coleman were elected on the first count. There are another four seats to be filled in the ward, with Fine Gael likely to take two to three of them. Echoing the Green wave seen right across the country, Green Party candidate Gordon Reid is also possibly in contention, if he proves transfer-friendly.

Two of the five seats in Skibbereen-West Cork have been filled, with Christopher O'Sullivan of Fianna Fáil topping the poll and party colleague Joe Carroll in on the second count.

Danny Collins, Independent first to be elected in the local electoral area, for Bantry -West Cork at the count centre at Clonakilty community centre. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The third count for all three wards have been announced in the last few minutes without any candidate getting over the line and the remaining contenders are preparing for a long afternoon.

Bandon-Kinsale (6 seats)

Bantry-West Cork (4 seats)

Skibbereen-West Cork (5 seats)