Cork East: All four seats filled after a marathon count with Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Fine Gael and Social Democrats sharing the spoils
Fianna Fáil's James O'Connor Cork East celebrates with his mother Catherine and Cllr Patrick Mulcahy after his election at the Mallow Count Centre in the GAA Complex, Mallow, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan.
It's all over here in Mallow with the final three seats in the Cork East constituency filled, bringing an end to a marathon count for the candidates and their supporters.
Returning officer Sinead McNamara took to the rostrum for one final time to announce the result of the twelfth and final count, the distribution of the 322 surplus votes of the already elected Fianna Fáil TD James O'Connor.
Fine Gael councillor Noel McCarthy received 161 of these, bringing his total to 9,561.
Sinn Féin TD Pat Buckley received 21 votes, bringing his total to 9,184.
Social Democrats Liam Quaide's 36 votes took his total to 7,793, while Fine Gael's Mark Stanton received 104 votes, his total coming to 7,793.
"As there is one continuing candidate more than the number of seats left to be filled, I deem the following candidates to be elected without reaching the quota [of 9,602]."
"Pat Buckley, Noel McCarthy and Liam Quaide.
"As all seats have now been filled, I propose to formally declare the results of this election," she concluded.
Cheers of sheer delight reverberated throughout the Mallow count centre as the three candidates, two of them newly elected TDs for the first time, were lifted aloft by their jubilant supporters.
Sitting Sinn Féin TD Pat Buckley said he was looking forward to repaying the faith his supporters had shown in him.
“It’s surreal – I’m very humbled and honoured. It’s time now for me to repay the people who put their trust and faith in me, that’s what it’s all about,” said Mr Buckley.
To a background of supporters joyfully singing out his name, Noel McCarthy said he was "overjoyed" to have secured a Dáil seat, after losing out in the 2016 general election.
“I got a great response and I’m delighted to represent the people of East Cork and to hopefully be a voice for the people, because that’s what they want – someone to fight for them,” he said.
Liam Quaide, who became the first ever Social Democrats candidate to be elected to Dáil Éireann in Cork East with barely a hair's breadth margin between him and Fine Gael's Mark Stanton, admitted he was "pretty stunned" by the result.
“I wasn’t expecting this, there’s a bit of a sense of unreality at the moment, but I’m really delighted and excited,” he said.
A clearly emotional first time Fine Gael candidate Mark Stanton cut a dejected figure as he contemplated losing out on a Dáil seat by the slimmest of margins - just 132 votes.
"I'm disappointed for myself. I think we put in a really good campaign," said Mr Stanton.
Speaking about his future plans said and the possibility of him standing for election again, Mr Stanton said: I don't know. I'll spend a couple of days now chatting with family about it and figuring myself out from there.
"I have a couple of decisions to make, but I'm glad to have the support of my family and friends in making them."
Graceful in defeat, Mr Stanton wished both Noel McCarthy and Liam Quaide well.
"I'm delighted for Noel, he really deserves it. He ran a fantastic campaign. Liam is a fantastic candidate as well, they're both really good guys."
The following is the result of the eleventh count, consisting of the distribution of William O'Leary's 6,643 votes.
Sinn Fein's Pat Buckley TD received 912 votes, bringing him to 9,173 votes.
Fine Gael's councillor Noel McCarthy's total votes now stand at 9,400, after gaining a further 2,184 votes.
Social Democrats councillor Liam Quaide received 781, with his total standing at 7,889.
Fine Gael's Mark Stanton received 520 votes, with his total increasing to 7,669.
Returning officer Sinead McNamara said that in light of their being no candidate elected on this count, James O'Connor's surplus of 332 votes will now be distributed as it is the only available surplus and fulfils the following conditions:
- Equals/Exceeds the difference between the two lowest candidates.
- Can elect the highest continuing candidate.
caught up with outgoing Fine Gael Cork East TD, Midleton-based David Stanton, as he awaited the eleventh count in Cork East with his son Mark, who is hoping to take a seat in the constituency.
Mr Stanton is standing away from politics after 28 years as a TD.
He said he felt it was the right time to step aside from politics “after 28 years and six elections.”
“It was the right time to make the decision. I am fit, active and still switched on. There comes a time to do other things and maybe switch from 48/7 to 24/7. Being a deputy is a huge privilege but with that comes a huge workload. You never switch off, even when you are on holidays - if you can go on holidays.
“There’s always someone contacting you, there’s always some issue. Even if I went away for a week somewhere I would regularly check in with my office to see if there was anything I wanted to know.
"I would be always checking my emails. You never really escape it. So I’m looking forward standing back a little bit and hopefully do other things,” said Mr Stanton.Commenting on his son vying for a Dáil seat, Mr Stanton said he, and anyone who runs for public office, should be commended
“Anybody, no matter who they puts their name on the ballot paper and puts themselves up to be a public figure, and I’ve been there, makes a lot of sacrifices from a personal and privacy point of view.
"One person said to me even when you retire you remain a public figure. I’m hoping to shake that a little bit.
“I’m going to take some proper time off, for the first time in almost three decade’s and maybe give my wife some time,” he grinned.
It's taken a while but we finally have some white smoke in Mallow.
The tenth count saw Deirdre O'Brien's 5,810 votes distributed, with her party colleague James O'Connor picking up 2,546 votes bringing his total to 9,924 - 322 above the 9,602 quota.
Surrounded by jubilant family and supporters, an emotional and clearly relieved Mr O'Connor admitted it had been a "very tight race."
"I’m delighted - It's been a very busy few weeks. I'm just so grateful and I want to say an enormous thank you to everybody who put their trust and faith in me again.
“It was a very tight race, we’ve had some huge changes here in Cork East, it’s really a new constituency, huge geographical changes, things like low turnouts and a lot of new candidates on the field," said Mr O'Connor.
“As you can see behind me, I'm surrounded by just a wonderful group of supporters and my family. I am particularly grateful to my director of elections and to my mother for all the organisation and the work that was done," said Mr O'Connor.
Sinn Féin's Pat Buckley picked up 219 votes, bringing his total to 8,261, virtually securing his Dáil seat for another term.
As had been anticipated, Fermoy county councillor Noel McCarthy scooped up a large share of Ms O'Brien's votes, with his total increasing by 1,304 to 7,216,
Social Democrats Liam Quaide picked up 236 votes, with Fine Gael's Mark Stanton picking up 378 votes. Their totals now stand at 7,108 and 7,169 respectively.
With not much to spare between the three, the bulk of eliminated Independent candidate councillor William O'Leary's distributed votes are likely to stay in the north of the constituency, with Noel McCarthy the beneficiary.
Should that be the case, it will see Liam Quaide and Mark Stanton in a face off for the final seat.
Result of tenth count expected before 1pm.
As no candidate has reached the quota on the ninth count and there is no surplus for distribution, no candidate was deemed elected.
The following candidate will be eliminated and their votes distributed:
- Deirdre O'Brien.
Perhaps the first surprise in East Cork as Fianna Fail's Deirdre O'Brien is eliminated. Ms O'Brien, the daughter of former Cork East TD Ned O'Keeffe and sister of former Cork East TD Kevin O'Keeffe, had been tipped by many to take one of the four seats.
Her 5,810 votes will now be distributed.
We now have six candidates in the running for the four seats.
Sitting Sinn Féin TD Pat Buckley picked up 855 votes, bringing his total to 8,042, while Fianna Fáil TD James O'Connor picked up 1,056 votes pushing his total to 7,378. Perhaps both camps can now think about putting the champagne on ice.
Social Democrats county councillor Liam Quaide picked up 669 votes, bringing his total to 6,872.
Fine Gael first time candidate Mark Stanton, the son of outgoing TD David Stanton picked up 536 votes, pushing his total to 5,791.
Fine Gael's councillor Noel McCarthy picked up 122 votes bringing his total to 5,912.
Independent William O'Leary, whose campaign seemed to be all but run yesterday evening, picked up 482 votes, bringing his total to 5,903.
It is likely that geography may well dictate where next count will take things, with many of Deirdre O'Brien's votes likely to stay in the north of the constituency, quite possibly to the benefit of Noel McCarthy and William O'Leary.
The result of the next count will be key.
Awaiting the result of the ninth count and the distribution of Mary Linehan Foley's 4,526 votes.
These could be key in finally getting a somewhat clearer picture as to which direction the constituency is heading.
It really is all to play for here in East Cork as more people begin to drift into the count centre.
As no candidate has reached the quota on the eighth count and there is no surplus for distribution, no candidate was deemed elected.
The following candidate will be eliminated and their votes distributed:
- Mary Linehan Foley.
Following a busy day at the Mallow count centre yesterday the results of the seventh count in the Cork East constituency was announced in the early hours of this morning, with the elimination of Aontú's Mona Stromsoe.
The atmosphere in the count centre is quiet as counting nears completion for the distribution of Mona Stromsoe's 2,177 votes.
It is anticipated the result of this count will be made before 10am.
As no candidate has reached the quota on the sixth count and there is no surplus for distribution, no candidate was deemed elected.
The following candidate will be eliminated and their votes distributed:
- Cliona O'Halloran
As no candidate has reached the quota on the fifth count and there is no surplus for distribution, no candidate was deemed elected.
The following candidate will be eliminated and their votes distributed
- Kathryn Bermingham
As no candidate has reached the quota on the fourth count and there is no surplus for distribution, no candidate was deemed elected.
The following candidate will be eliminated and their votes distributed:
- Mehdi Özçinar
The Echo caught up with Independent candidate and Cork county councillor William O’Leary and his fellow Fermoy area colleague on the local authority, Fi
As no candidate has reached the quota on the sixth count and there is no surplus for distribution, no candidate was deemed elected.
The following candidate will be eliminated and their votes distributed:
- Cliona O'Halloran
councillor Noel McCarthy, at the Mallow count centre following the third count announcement.
A first time candidate Rathcormac native Mr O’Leary, who polled 4,615 first preference votes, managed to add another 131 to his running total, bringing him up to 4,817.
However, he recognised that his chances of winning a Dáil seat at the first time of asking was slipping away.
“I feel I did all I could during the campaign. However, what we were hearing on the doorstep didn’t translate into votes, its as simple as that. I put everything into it. I think that our problem up here [in the north of the constituency] is one of geography,” said Mr O’Leary.
“The politics is out of it now and the boxing match is over. I want to wish every one who does get elected all the very best.” Mr O’Leary said he was not too disappointed, particularly in light of the staunch support he received from voters in the wider Fermoy area.
“To be honest I never went into this thinking I would be elected, so I’m not really too disappointed.” Asked if he would think about running for the Dáil at the next general election, Mr O’Leary said it was too early to say.
“I don’t know. That’s five years away, so we will see what happens,” he said.
Mr McCarthy, who had earlier told The Echo he believed Fine Gael stood a good chance to taking two seats in the constituency, was full of praise for his Fermoy area Cork County Council colleague, saying that he fully expected to see him running for the Dáil again in the future.
“There was not one bad word between William or indeed [Fianna Fáil’s ] Deirdre O’Brien throughout this campaign. William is a great colleague on Cork County Council. This is his first time running and I know for a fact he will be back,” said Mr McCarthy.
Following the third count in the Cork East constituency, Social Democrats’ candidate Liam Quaide has said that he “can’t see a way through” to secure a spot in Dáil Éireann.
In a post shared on social media, the Cork county councillor stated that despite a “respectable showing” of 10% of first preference votes, he does not believe he will break into the top four positions vying for a seat.
“I may briefly get into that fray with later Green transfers but these will not be enough to see me through,” he said.
As no candidate has reached the quota on the third count in Cork East, and there is no surplus for distribution, no candidate was deemed elected.
The following candidate will be eliminated and their votes distributed:
- Asch Ní Finn
As no candidate has reached the quota on the second count and there is no surplus for distribution, no candidate was deemed elected.
The following candidate will be eliminated and their votes distributed:
- Frank Roche.
As no candidate has reached the quota on the first count and there is no surplus for distribution, no candidate was deemed elected.
The following candidates will be eliminated and their votes distributed:
- Ross Cannon
- Catherine Lynch
- John O'Leary
- James Peter O'Sullivan
7.45pm
Fine Gael’s Noel McCarthy said he believed the party has a "real chance" of taking two seats in the Cork East constituency.
The Fermoy based county councillor, who was unsuccessful in his 2016 bid to win a Dáil seat, said he had learned a lot from that experience and that it made him even more determined to run for Dáil Éireann again.
“I am delighted and humbled with my first preference votes this time around. Of course I’ve had my disappointments in the past, but genuinely feel that I am now on the verge of something big,” said Mr McCarthy.
“I’m delighted to be in with a real chance of taking a seat. I’m certainly up for the challenge that hopefully lays ahead of me. I’ve 15 years as a county councillor under my belt and feel that I’ve earned my spurs. I believe that people have shown faith in me because of that and my record on the council.”
Mr McCarthy was thankful to the people of Fermoy for their support as well as voters in Cobh, where he originally hails from.
“Fermoy is my base and I am very grateful for the support I received there. But, I knew that to go outside of the Fermoy area because the northern end of the constituency does not have the population of the southern side,” said Mr McCarthy.
“I canvassed well across the constituency and knew I needed votes across a wide base to I went back to my hometown of Cobh and received a great reception there. I am delighted to say Cobh also showed faith in me and I hope I can repay that.”
Asked about the Fine Gael showing in Cork East ahead of the first count announcement, Mr McCarthy said that the 23% showing from the tallies for the party was a tremendous achievement and that both he and party colleague Mark Stanton have a real shot at Dáil seats.
“I believed that we [Fine Gael] have a real chance to taking two seats in Cork East, something few people would have ever thought possible – but I feel and believe we are on the verge of it,” he said
An incumbent TD in Cork East has said that serving in his constituency has been the honour of his life and that he is hopeful of continuing his legacy once the first count has been announced.
Speaking to The Echo prior to the declaration of the first count, Fianna Fáil’s James O’Connor said he is “naturally nervous” but had expected a close call between him and Fine Gael’s Mark Stanton.
“Whatever happens, I’m ready for it,” he said.
“I want to say to everyone who gave me their first preference vote that I am very appreciative of it.
“Nothing here is for certain, by this time tomorrow night I don’t know if I’ll be returning to Dáil Éireann as a TD, so it’s a cruel sport, but it’s an honour to do it.
“We [Fianna Fáil] had a great Local [election], but the difference with the General [election] is that turnout is down - it’s very noticeable so it is a concern in that respect.
“A lot of young people have gone abroad, [and] there is a very disgruntled middle income out there in Ireland and they’ve sent a very serious message to the Government, so we have to take that on board.
“It’s the unknown of unknowns today and all I can say is that I have incredible gratitude for those who did vote for me and to my family, supporters and canvassers who did a wonderful job.”
The first count for the 2024 General Election is due to be announced in the Cork East constituency shortly following the adjudication of 51 votes.
- Kathryn Bermingham (Independent Ireland) 808
- Pat Buckley (Sinn Féin) 5505
- Ross Cannon (Independent) 27
- Mary Linehan Foley (Independent) 3715
- Catherine Lynch (Independent Ireland) 122
- Noel McCarthy (Fine Gael) 5131
- Asch Ní Finn (People Before Profit - Solidarity) 632
- Deirdre O'Brien (Fianna Fáil) 4948
- James O'Connor (Fianna Fáil) 5574
- Cliona O'Halloran (Green Party) 1496
- John O'Leary (Independent) 138
- William O'Leary (Independent) 4403
- James Peter O'Sullivan (The Irish People) 317
- Mehdi Özçinar (Sinn Féin) 612
- Liam Quaide (Social Democrats) 4724
- Frank Roche (Independent) 567
- Mark Stanton (Fine Gael) 5593
- Mona Stromsoe (Aontú) 1729
All ballot boxes in the Cork East constituency have been opened and tallied by counters at the Mallow GAA Sport Complex, finishing with a three-way tie between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin.
Fine Gael’s Mark Stanton, Fianna Fáil’s incumbent James O’Connor and Sinn Féin’s incumbent Pat Buckley topped the poll with 12% of first preference votes.
They were followed by Fianna Fáil's Deirdre O’Brien and Fine Gael’s Noel McCarthy who were both joint with 11%.
Social Democrats’ Liam Quaide and Independent candidate William O’Leary came up the rear with a joint 10%, followed by Independent candidate Mary Linehan Foley who settled at 8%.
As the opening and tallying of the final ballot boxes in Cork East is underway, indications are that Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are neck and neck.
Fine Gael’s Mark Stanton, Fianna Fáil incumbent TD James O’Connor and Sinn Féin incumbent TD Pat Buckley stand together with 12% of first preference votes.
In a close fourth is Fianna Fáil's Deirdre O’Brien, who stands at 11%.
Following behind O’Brien with a difference shy of 300 votes is both Social Democrats’ Liam Quaide and Fine Gael’s Noel McCarthy at 10% of first preference votes.
While there are only five ballot boxes remaining to tally, onlookers are anxiously awaiting to see if this close call will drastically change in the coming minutes.
With 106 of 127 ballot boxes opened and tallied in the Cork East constituency, a four-way poll-topping tie has emerged between Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein.
Remaining steadfast in a strong position is Fianna Fáil’s Deirdre O’Brien and incumbent James O’Connor, as well as incumbent Pat Buckley (Sinn Féin) and Fine Gael’s Mark Stanton, all standing with 12% of first preference votes.
Following behind the leading four candidates with 11% is Social Democrats’ Liam Quaide and further again is Fine Gael’s Noel McCarthy with 10%.
While independent candidates William O’Leary and Mary Linehan Foley were off to a good start, they have both dropped back to 9% and 8% respectively.
Early indications from tallies in Cork East show that incumbents James O’Connor (Fianna Fáil) and Pat Buckley (Sinn Féin) have a good chance at retaining their seats if counts continue to stay on their current track.
As 55% of ballot boxes have been opened and tallied, Fianna Fáil remain in a strong position with Mr O’Connor and Deirdre O’Brien standing with 13% and 11% of first preference votes respectively.
However, Ms O’Brien stands in a two-way tie with Social Democrats’ Liam Quaide, and Mr O’Connor stands in a two-way poll-topping tie with Fine Gael’s Mark Stanton.
Mr Stanton is contesting the election for the first time this year and is expected to replace his father, outgoing TD, David Stanton, who served in the constituency for 27 years.
Incumbent Mr Buckley currently stands with 12% of first preference votes, and is followed by Independent candidate Mary Linehan Foley, who has dropped back to 10%, after a short stint alongside Mr Quaide and Ms O’Brien in a three-way position.
As time pushes on in Mallow, 63 ballot boxes have been opened and tallied.
Things appear to be proving successful for Fianna Fáil as both Deirdre O’Brien and James O’Connor currently top the tallies in a four-way tie with Independent candidate Mary Linehan Foley and Fine Gaels Mark Stanton, all sharing 12% of first preference votes.
Sinn Féin’s Pat Buckley is following close behind the four-way tie with 11%, and Social Democrats’ Liam Quaide, and Fine Gael’s Noel McCarthy are joint with 10%.
Within the last 40 minutes, tallies for the Cork East constituency have seen a shift as all 17 candidates battle for one of four Dáil seats.
As 47 boxes have been opened and tallied, Independent candidate Mary Linehan Foley has moved to the top position with 14% of first preference votes, followed very closely by Fianna Fáil’s Deirdre O’Brien who stands with 13% of first preference votes.
Coming up behind O’Brien is fellow Fianna Fáil candidate James O’Connor, who is tallying at 12%, followed by Sinn Féin candidate Pat Buckley at 11%, and Fine Gael's Mark Stanton and Noel McCarthy who are both coming in at 10%.
Social Democrats’ candidate Liam Quaide and Independent candidate William O’Leary are both moving up quickly as tallies continue to come in, with a joint 9% of first preference votes.
There is a palpable buzz around the Mallow GAA Sports Complex this morning as counters are sifting through a sea of ballot boxes, as tally men and women watch on.
With four Dáil seats up for grabs, and 34 boxes currently opened and tallied in the Cork East constituency, it’s looking positive for Fianna Fáil’s Deirdre O’Brien who is pulling out on top with 1,768 votes.
Ms O’Brien is followed closely by Sinn Féin candidate, Pat Buckley, who is hoping to secure a third term as a TD for the area, with 1,368 votes, and Fine Gael candidate Noel McCarthy with 1,350 votes.
Coming up behind Buckley and McCarthy is independent candidate Mary Linehan Foley, who has 1,275 votes and Fianna Fáil’s James O’Connor, who is also hoping to retain his seat in the constituency with 1,244 votes.
Also performing well with an increasing tally figure is independent candidate William O’Leary with 1,191 votes, Fine Gael’s Mark Stanton with 1,082 votes and Social Democrats’ Liam Quaide with 1,078.
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