It has been a good day so far for Rural Independent TDs in the general election, with 80% of the country tallied before transfers are counted later this afternoon.
A full tally of first preference votes have been completed in Offaly, where Carol Nolan TD looks likely to top the poll, securing 21.9% of votes. John Clendennen of Fine Gael is at 18.3%, whilst Tony McCormack of Fianna Fail secured 17.2% of first preference votes. Aoife Masterson of Sinn Fein is fourth, with 16.7% of the vote. The remaining candidates are at 7% in the three-seater constituency.
Mattie McGrath is also holding strong in Tipperary, currently currently topping the poll at 25%. He is followed by Miahcel Murphy of Fine Gael at 22% and Seamus Healy (Independent) on 12%. They are followed by Imelda Foldsboro of Fianna Fail and Martin Browne (Sinn Fein) is on 11%. Newstalk journalist James Wilson reported that “Mattie, he’s sailing.” 98% of boxes there have been tallied.
In Kerry, the Healy-Rae brothers have ran away with the early votes, with Michael Healy-Rae coming in with 22.7% of the vote, in first place, followed by his brother, Danny Healy-Rae, with 15% of the vote. Norma Foley is third, and looks likely to retain her seat with 13.3% of the vote, followed by Pa Daly of Sinn Fein in fourth place.
Fine Gael will gain the seat formerly held by Denis Naughten in Roscommon-Galway. Michael Fitzmaurice of Independent Ireland topped the poll there, with 29.2% of the vote, followed by Claire Kerrane of Sinn Fein at 19.5% and Dympna Daly-Finn at 17.9%. Aisling Dolan is in fourth position, with 11.9% of the vote.
A final Wexford tally shows Verona Murphy is topping to poll, with the Independent gaining 20.8% of votes. James Browne of Fianna Fail has 16.3%, Johnny Mythen of Sinn Fein is at 14% and George Lawlor of Labour is at 13.5%. Cathal Byrne is on 9.6% and Jim Code of Aontu is on 7.4%.
Overall, the Fianna Fail vote is currently holding up at 20.8% followed by Fine Gael at 20% at Sinn Fein at 18.2%.