Local elections almost complete as counts enter third day

 

The local elections in Cork have seen a major change in the political landscape, particularly in Cork City Council.

Among the high-profile councillors to lose out in the city were former lord mayor Chris O’Leary, along with Sinn Féin colleague Mick Nugent.
Fine Gael’s PJ Hourican also lost his seat.

A number of former county councillors won seats in the city including Fine Gael’s Derry Canty and Deirdre Forde and Fianna Fáil’s Mary Rose Desmond, while the Green Party went from no council seats in Cork to six across both councils.

Counting continues in City Hall for the third day today.

The votes cast in the plebiscite in Cork city to allow a mayor to be directly elected are being counted this morning with the result expected to be tighter than previously expected.

The votes cast in the European election are also being counted today with the first count in Ireland South expected in the mid-afternoon.

Recounts are taking place in both City Hall and County Hall this morning. The recounts are taking place in Cork City Central with a recount of the votes for the Bantry-West Cork LEA is set to begin at 11am.

 

Local election results

So far, 29 of 31 seats have been filled in Cork City Council with a 45.6 per cent turnout. Eight Fianna Fáil councillors have been elected so far, with Fine Gael taking seven seats. Four Green Party councillors will be in the next council, along with four Independents. Sinn Féin will have three councillors while Labour will return to the city council with one councillor. Solidarity/People Before Profit retain one seat, as do the Workers Party.

In Cork South Central, a recount is taking place with Independent Paudie Dineen finished 14 votes ahead of Sinn Féin’s Eoghan Jeffers after the 11th count as they battle for the last seat. Sinn Féin’s Fiona Kerins is likely to take the fifth seat.

In Cork County Council, all seats were filled last night except for one. The turnout was 51.5 per cent. Fine Gael will be the biggest party in Cork County Council with 20 members, followed by Fianna Fáil with 18 councillors.

There will be at least ten Independent councillors, with the possibility of one more. In Cork South West, a recount is taking place with just one vote separating Independent Finbarr Harrington and Social Democrat Holly Keever Cairns.

There will be just two Labour and Sinn Féin councillors each in County Hall along with the Green Party’s two new elected representatives.