Fine Gael’s Neale Richmond topped the poll in Dublin Rathdown and was elected on the first count, but the final seats is going down to the wire. Richmond’s running mate Maeve O’Connell is in line to also take a seat, with Fianna Fáil’s Shay Brennan also well placed. There’s a tight contest for the final spot between the Social Democrats’ Sinéad Gibney and the outgoing Minister for Culture Catherine Martin, who is looking to salvage something from a bleak weekend for the Green Party.
Catherine Martin has been notably absent since her brief appearance last night, when she described a “very disappointing day for the Green Party”.
Fianna Fáil councillor Shay Brennan arrived to the count centre at Ballinteer Community School for the first time on Sunday evening ahead of the eighth count as his chance to gain a seat for his party seems all the more likely.
Social Democrats candidate Sinéad Gibney, the first party candidate to run in the constituency, meanwhile, has been present for almost the entire count.
Independent councillor Michael Fleming arrived for the first time earlier today and has been keeping a close eye on counters, particularly since the error which resulted in a recheck and amended results.
It is understood three piles of Aontú candidate Liam Coughlan’s transfers, intended for Mr Brennan, were incorrectly placed in Ms Gibney’s allocated spot.
Fine Gael councillor Maeve O’Connell, meanwhile, who has been leading since Neale Richmond’s election, appeared briefly on both Saturday and Sunday.
Sinn Féin candidate Shaun Tracey has been eliminated following the eighth count. It comes as Social Democrats candidate Sinéad Gibney received the largest portion of Labour councillor Lettie McCarthy’s transfers. Ms Gibney received 1,030 transfers bringing her latest total to 6,244 though she remains behind Independent councillor Michael Fleming, albeit by 47 votes. Catherine Martin received a considerable 920 transfers, however, she is now at the bottom of the poll in fifth place. It’s looking pretty bleak for her now.
Fine Gael councillor Maeve O’Connell remains in the lead with 8,123 votes, followed by Fianna Fáil councillor Shay Brennan (7,908). Mr Tracey’s 4,382 votes will now be distributed.
Fianna Fáil councillor Shay Brennan’s team called for a recheck after counting a significantly higher number of transfers compared to the 102 he had originally received from Aontú candidate Liam Coughlan.
Ms Gibney’s team, meanwhile, labelled the 430 transfers initially received from the Aontú candidate as “bizarre” due to the differences between the two parties.
Mr Brennan received 402 transfers, following the recheck.
There were discrepancies among other candidates regarding the latest transfers though they were minor in comparison and amended.
Fine Gael councillor Maeve O’Connell remains in the lead with 7,615 votes followed by Mr Brennan (7,601).
Independent councillor Michael Fleming received the highest number of transfers from Mr Coughlan at 826, bringing his total votes so far to 5,861.
Following the latest count, he overtook Ms Gibney who now stands at 5,214, followed by Green Party minister Catherine Martin (4,560) and Sinn Féin’s Shaun Tracey (4,223).
Labour councillor Lettie McCarthy has been eliminated following the seventh count, finishing with 3,478 votes.
Following the recheck, the results have been amended and count eight has begun with six candidates still in the race for the three remaining seats.
Labour’s Lettie McCarthy was the last candidate eliminated. She was eliminated following the seventh count.
Some 833 transfers from Aontú candidate Liam Coughlan brought Independent councillor Michael Fleming ahead of Social Democrats candidate Sinéad Gibney by 358 votes.
Fine Gael councillor Maeve O’Connell remains in the lead followed by Fianna Fáil councillor Shay Brennan with 309 votes between them.
Catherine Martin is currently placed second last with 4,560 votes against a quota of 9,752, followed by Sinn Féin’s Shaun Tracey (4,223).
Ms McCarthy’s 3,480 votes will now be distributed, with six candidates left in the race for the three remaining seats.
Some 296 transfers were distributed to Social Democrats candidate Sinéad Gibney in error during the seventh count for Dublin Rathdown.
