Longford #LE24: Another stunning poll topping performance in Ballymahon by Fine Gael's Paul Ross
Six candidates are separated by 96 votes
Fine Gael's Paul Ross has produced yet another stunning poll topping performance in the Ballymahon municipal district, according to the completed tally here in TUS Athlone.
With the 19 boxed tallied, Ross has accumulated 1,300 first preferences, well excess of the predicted quota of 992.
In 2019, Legan based Ross received a huge 1,217 first preferences and he will be elected for a third successive time this weekend.
Fianna Fáil's Mick Cahill (845) and Pat O'Toole (712) look to be well on course to retain their seats.
However, and almost incredibly, there are six candidates who are separated by 96 votes ; ranging from Independent Mark Casey on 620 down to Fine Gael's Colm Murray on 524 and the four candidates in between are Sean Mimnagh (Fianna Fáil) 584, Gerald Farrell (Independent) 579, Martin Skelly (Fine Gael) 573 and John Rooney (Sinn Féin) 550.
That's six candidates well and truly in the hunt for the final three seats so the Ballymahon count which required a recount in 2019 is poised to go down to the wire once again.
Candidates - 12
(6 seats; * denotes outgoing councillor)
* Paul Ross, Fine Gael - 1,300
* Mick Cahill, Fianna Fáil - 845
* Pat O'Toole, Fianna Fáil - 712
* Mark Casey, Non Party - 620
Sean Mimnagh, Fianna Fáil - 584
* Gerald Farrell, Non Party - 579
Martin Skelly, Fine Gael - 573
John Rooney, Sinn Féin - 550
* Colm Murray, Fine Gael - 524
Niall Dowler, Non Party - 417
Mandy Larkin, Irish People Party - 158
Francesca Pawelczyk, Non Party - 78