Longford Westmeath General Election 2024 latest: Carrigy’s sweet success gives Fine Gael two seats while Troy’s triumph tainted by loss of FF seat

Fianna Fáil’s Robert Troy and Fine Gael’s Micheál Carrigy have been confirmed as the two final TDs that will represent  Longford Westmeath in the 34th Dáil.

They were elected, shortly after 3.40am this morning (Monday, December 2), on the 15th and Final Count following the distribution of the 4,484 votes of Independent Ireland candidate Paul Hogan.

Troy picked up 804 votes and finished on 10,331, thereby exceeding the quota of 10,315 by 16 votes. Carrigy received 291 votes bringing his total to 9,208 and he was deemed elected without reaching the quota.

The success of Troy and Carrigy means that outgoing Longford-town based Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty has lost his seat. He finished on 6,563 votes. 

WATCH | Longford Westmeath General Election 2024 - Jubilant scenes as Micheál Carrigy takes Dáil seat

It was evident from early on Saturday morning as ballot boxes were being tallied at TUS Athlone that Flaherty’s seat was in serious jeopardy and while a chink of light emerged on Sunday afternoon, hinting that eliminations and transfers might spark a Houdini like revival, the great recovery didn’t materialise and Fianna Fáil’s worst fears were confirmed. 

While FF lost their seat in Longford, Fine Gael reclaimed their seat in the county courtesy of Fine Gael Senator Micheál Carrigy. The postmaster will be the first TD from the village of Ballinalee since Fine Gael’s General Sean Mac Eoin in 1965 and he is the first Longford based FG TD since the 2016 General Election when James Bannon lost his seat following the infamous Siege of Kenagh count. 

Senator Carrigy ran a highly successful campaign, tapping into the ‘new energy’ message of FG party leader Simon Harris and perhaps more importantly, building on the ground work of the FG party during the local elections last June. 

WATCH | Ecstatic Kevin 'Boxer' Moran elected to Dáil on count 14 in Longford Westmeath and shouts 'I'm back'

Deputy Troy, after winning four consecutive elections is the most experienced TD in the Longford Westmeath constituency, although his success will be somewhat tainted by the fact that in 2020, as a four -seat constituency, FF captured two seats and this time around as a five-seater FF managed to win just one seat. 

Troy and Carrigy will join Peter Burke (Fine Gael), Sorca Clarke (Sinn Féin) and Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran (Independent) in the 34th Dáil.

In summary, FG (2) gained a seat in the constituency, FF (1) lost a seat,  SF retained their seat and the ‘Boxer’ returned with aplomb to nail the extra seat that was on offer. 

WATCH: Jubilant Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke gives her reaction after taking the second Longford-Westmeath Dáil seat

At a glance…

ELECTED (quota 10,315)

Peter Burke (Fine Gael), 1st Count 10,864

Sorca Clarke (Sinn Féin), 13th Count 10,878

Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran (Independent), 14th Count 10,450

Robert Troy (Fianna Fáil), 15th Count 10,331

Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael), 15th Count 9,208 (without reaching quota)

Eliminated Candidates 

Donal Jackson (Independent) 2nd Count

Charlotte Keenan (Independent) 2nd Count

Paul Bradley (Independent) 2nd Count

Carol Okeke (Green Party) 3rd Count

Dympna Cunniffe (Fianna Fáil) 4th Count

Tanya Cannon (Fine Gael) 5th Count

Margaret Alacoque Maguire (Ireland First) 6th Count

Dave Smyth (People Before Profit Solidarity) 7th Count

Louise Heavin (Independent) 8th Count

Fidelma Bennett (Labour) 9th Count

Laura O’Neill (Aontú) 10th Count

Gerry Warnock (Independent) 11th Count

Barry Campion (Sinn Féin) 12th Count 

Paul Hogan (Independent Ireland) 14th Count

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fáil) 15th Count