Fianna Fail’s Billy Kelleher re-elected as final Ireland South seats go to wire

Fianna Fail’s Billy Kelleher has been re-elected to the European Parliament, calling it a “crowning” moment.

He celebrated with his family, colleagues and Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who said the party was hopeful of clinching a second seat in the South constituency.

The lengthy counting of ballot papers continues in Ireland, with eight MEPs left to be elected in two massive constituencies.

Results emerging from the three elections have been seen as a political boon for coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, while the largest opposition party, Sinn Fein, has initiated a review after performing well below its own expectations.

In the European elections, Sinn Fein is expected to increase its tally of MEPs, despite party representative Chris MacManus being eliminated from the running on Thursday morning.

Marathon counts restarted in the Ireland South and Midlands-North-West constituencies at 9am on Thursday.

Unpredictable transfers, which political commentators said were not following traditional patterns, are adding to the drama of who will claim the final seats.

Sinn Fein TD Kathleen Funchion has remained in a good position to take a seat after attracting 60% of her running mate’s transfers on Wednesday, as well as transfers from the Social Democrats’ Susan Doyle.

Fianna Fail candidate and 1994 Eurovision host Cynthia Ni Mhurchu and outgoing MEP Mick Wallace are battling it out for the final seat, which are to be decided by the distribution of Green Party MEP Grace O’Sullivan’s votes, who is expected to be eliminated next.

Calling her comments “the swan song”, she said it was up to government parties to speak up on the need for action to tackle climate change.

Returning officer Martin Harvey said he expects the final results in Ireland South by Thursday.

Meanwhile, the pack leader Luke “Ming” Flanagan, an independent in the Left grouping, has predicted he will breach the quota to be re-elected to the Parliament.

He quickly emerged as the front runner in the field of 27 candidates, and as counting continued on Thursday, remained ahead of Fine Gael candidate Nina Carberry, Fianna Fail’s Barry Cowen, and Maria Walsh – also for Fine Gael.

However, Sinn Fein insists it still has a “fighting chance” for that final spot.

Its leading hopeful, Michelle Gildernew, will need to repeat Ms Funchion’s experience of in-party transfer support if she hopes to keep Mr MacManus’ seat following his elimination.

Observers predict the counting will wrap up on Thursday night or Friday morning.

Fine Gael’s Regina Doherty, Fianna Fail’s Barry Andrews, Sinn Fein’s Lynn Boylan and Labour’s Aodhan O Riordain all confirmed their places on the continent.

While the European picture is incomplete, Fianna Fail emerged as the largest party in local government after all seats in Ireland’s local election were filled.

The party won out in the battle for the remaining seats, putting them on a total of 248 seats compared with Fine Gael’s 245.

Sinn Fein has 102 councillors, an increase on 81 council seats won in 2019, but party leader Mary Lou McDonald has admitted the result fell below their expectations.

The popular vote of 12% is a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the main opposition party which emerged from the 2020 general election on 24.5%.

Meanwhile, the Labour party is down one to 56 councillors, the Green Party’s support fell to 26 council seats while the Social Democrats’ share rose to 35.

The number of Independent councillors has also increased.

However, the leaders of all three coalition parties – Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan – have all insisted they remain committed to the government going full term.

For her part, Sinn Fein leader Ms McDonald, who is facing questions over her stewardship of the party, has struck a defiant tone, urging Mr Harris to “bring it on” and call an early election.

With Mr O Riordain a sitting TD, and other TDs in contention for the remaining European seats, there will be a need for at least one by-election in the coming six months.

That has added to speculation that the Government may seek an earlier general election, rather than fighting several potential by-elections only months before the Dail is dissolved.

Elsewhere, in a landmark poll in Limerick for Ireland’s first directly elected mayor, independent candidate John Moran secured victory late on Tuesday afternoon.