Local and European election results live: Macron calls snap election ...

Main PointsLocal Election CountCounting in the local elections is continuing on Sunday with over half of seats declared.Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Independent candidates have filled the vast majority of the seats declared so farSinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said “it hasn’t been our day [and] frustration – anger indeed – with Government policy on this occasion has translated into votes for Independents and others”. Read the full report hereThe Greens are in with a shout of holding their six seats on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County CouncilTaoiseach Simon Harris has said his position on when the general election should be held “hasn’t changed” despite FG’s local elections success.European Election CountCounting to fill the 14 seats in the European election is under way but the first results will not be announced until after 9pm (Irish time).Exit polling from eight countries shows far-right parties are on course to make gains in several European countries, while support for the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) is holding up wellFrench president Emmanuel Macron has dissolved the national assembly after far-right gainsIn the Dublin constituency, tallies suggest Barry Andrews (FF) and Regina Doherty (FG) are polling stronglyIn the Midlands-North-West constituency sitting MEPs Luke Ming Flanagan (Ind) and Maria Walsh (FG) have performed well, according to talliesIn the South constituency, incumbents Sean Kelly (FG) and Billy Kelleher (FF) are in contention for re-electionGreen Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe who is in a real battle to save his seat says a general election this year is “inevitable”Limerick Mayoral ElectionA final tally has John Moran (Independent) in front with 16,855 first preference votes (24 per cent)

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Analysis: What to watch out for as results come in on day two of the count Analysis: Jack Horgan-Jones Taoiseach twists the knife after a bad weekend for Sinn Féin as talk of early general election grows European elections: Far-right parties on course to make gains, exit polls indicateNews update: Independents perform well as FG and FF battle to be largest local government partyLive coverage of the election counts: The Irish Times will provide comprehensive live coverage of all three counts today with up-to-the-minute news, analysis and detailed results from each council and constituency. You can select from the drop-down menu below for results in your areaAndrews tops poll in Dublin

Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews looks poised to win the first seat in the Dublin constituency after winning over 62,000 votes in the first count. He finished just ahead of Regina Doherty, who also looks likely to win a seat in the four-seat constituency.

Despite a fall in the Sinn Féin vote, Lynn Boylan has finished third with over 35,000 votes. With her running mate Daithí Doolan getting almost 11,000 votes, she is well placed to win a seat.

There are a large number of candidates clustered around 30,000 votes and all will be in contention for the final seat. Ciaran Cuffee of the Greens has 32,000 and Aodhan O’Riordan and Niall Boylan are both just over 30,000,

Claire Daly is a little further back at 26,000.

Political drubbing for Macron’s centrists had a sense of inevitability

Jack Power writes

The European election results could not have come as a shock to French president Emmanuel Macron.

For months his centrist coalition has been trailing way behind Marine Le Pen’s far right National Rally in the polls.

Macron, who has been one of the big beasts of European politics for years, had tried in vain to kickstart the flagging campaign.

The far right’s campaign had been led by the 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, a National Rally MEP who has become a fresh, popular face in French politics. Savvy on social media, Bardella had pitched the European elections as a vote on Macron’s record.

Exit polls show the National Rally winning 31 per cent of the vote, to become one of the largest parties in the European Parliament. Macron’s centrist coalition are predicted to secure half of that, at 15 per cent.

Five years ago the two parties were neck and neck, now the distance in support between the centre and the far right is jarring.

A traditional anti-immigrant and Eurosceptic party, National Rally has made gains by targeting bread and butter issues like the cost of living crisis, and may win close to 30 seats, up from their current 18. Le Pen has also tried to soften the party’s image, ahead of a run for president in 2027.

The disastrous result this weekend could have been even worse for the current French president, as at one point it looked like his group would finish third rather than second.

In a dramatic response on Sunday night, Mr Macron decided to call a snap parliamentary election, despite his current unpopularity among the public.

The first round of the parliamentary election will be held in just three weeks, on June 30th, with a run-off on July 7th.

Two Councillors who left FF over migrant accommodation in Galway are elected

John Fallon writes

Noel Thomas, who resigned from Fianna Fáil in a row over their accommodation policy for refugees, has topped the poll in Connemara South and will be re-elected.

Seamus Walsh, who left Fianna Fáil for a similar reason, was re-elected in Connemara North yesterday after significantly increasing his vote.

Both were involved in protests against a proposed accommodation centre for asylum seekers in Roscahill, close to Lough Corrib. The party initiated internal action against both councillors but they resigned before the process began. Walsh stood as an Independent while Thomas joined Independent Ireland.

Two Thirds of Seats Filled in local council elections

We are beginning to quickly (or less slowly) move towards the end game of the local election count, as we brace ourselves for the next endurance race, otherwise known as the European election counts.

There has been a lot happening. We have seen Fianna Fail and Fine Gael view for top spot. Sinn Féin is now winning more seats and will soon pass the 80 it won in 2019 but it’s still long way off its targets.

The Social Democrats have already exceeded their total of 19 in 2019, with 22 seats so far. PBP are on 6 and the Greens are on 12, which is considerably down from this stage of the count five years ago.

It is noteworthy that about seven anti-immigration activists have been elected, three of them on Dublin City Council, with a fourth likely to be elected in Artane. It is still 7 out of 949 but it is not insignificant.

Video of elections of candidates in Dublin including anti-immigration activist Gavin Pepper and Felin Jose of the Green Party.

Enda O’Dowd captures the scenes at the RDS on Sunday evening.

Centre majority in European Parliament to hold, despite far right gains

Jack Power writes

Overall, European People’s Party (EPP), the centre right group which includes Fine Gael MEPs, is expected to remain as the largest grouping in the European Parliament.

The EPP is forecast to win 186 of the available 720 seats, with the centre left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) is predicted to take 133 seats.

Centrist group Renew, which includes Fianna Fáil MEPs, will drop to 82 seats from 102, according to a projection of the make-up of the next parliament.

The projection was based on exit polls from 15 countries and surveys taken during campaigns where exit polls were not conducted.

The Green grouping is forecast to lose a significant portion of its seats, falling from 71 to 53 seats. Hard right and far right parties, which are splintered between groupings, are expected to take north of 160 seats in the new parliament, according to the projection.

An update on the snap election called by President Macron.

In France, National Rally (Rassamblement National) won 33 per cent of the vote, according to exit polls, compared to the Centrist Alliance of President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron’s rationale was that an election was needed because he could not consider a France that did not believe in a united and strong Europe. He said he was giving the choice to the French people.

It is a high-risk strategy and could strengthen the hand of Marine le Pen ahead of the next Presidential elections.

Ciara Mageean wins gold for Ireland

Just in from Ian O’Riordan in Rome

Another generation of the Haughey family elected in Dublin

Martin Wall writes from Fingal

A grandson of Charles Haughey, Cathal, has been elected for Fianna Fáíl in the Howth-Malahide LEA.

Barry Andrews says he will be the first Fianna Fáil MEP reelected in Dublin in 25 years

Barry Andrews arrived in the RDS this evening where Cormac McQuinn and other reporters caught up with hi. He said that it was a difficult campaign but he tried to put forward a positive EU message at a time when there was increasing ideological fervour on the extremes of the political spectrum”. Here’s some of what he said to Cormac.

The State of Play

We are now just an hour from the first announcements being opened in the European elections. We are not expecting any of the Irish first counts to be announced at 10pm.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are very close in the local elections. Fianna Fáíl at 23 per cent has marginally higher percentage support than its Coalition partner (22.8) but Fine Gael has more seats (173 to 147). The highest percentage support has gone to the Independents.

Of the smaller parties it has been a good election for the Social Democrats. At this stage, it is only one short of its 2019 total (it has 18 seats right now). Labour has also had a good day and could suprass its 2019 total of 57 seats.

There was no big breakthrough by the far-right but that is not to say it did not advance somewhate. Three explicitly anti-migration candidates elected in Dublin is not irrelevant.

And the moment when JHJ cajoled the Taoiseach into the Inside Politics podcast

Jack Horgan-Jones was in the RDS giving his tuppence worth to Hugh Linehan on when the next election would be held. And then who hoved into view only Simon Harris. With a ‘G’wan, g’wan, g’wan’ worthy of Mrs Doyle, the intrepid Horgan-Jones pressganged the Taoiseach into making his debut on the Inside Politics podcast. Naturally, he was a little nervous but he acquitted himself well.

If there’s smoke, there’s a Healy Rae homecoming!

Jerry O’Sullivan of Radio Kerry captured this on his drive into Kilgarvan this evening. Our late colleague Michael O’Regan would have loved it.

With Gavin Pepper’s election there are three anti-migrant councillors on Dublin City Council

Olivia Kelly writes

Gavin Pepper an anti-immigration activist with a prominent social media presence has become the third far-right candidate elected in Dublin city, joining Malachy Steenson and Phil Sutcliffe. The Independent councillor has been a leader in several recent anti-immigration demonstrations.

A proponent of the view that “Ireland is full” Pepper attended a protest in the city centre in May of last year that ended with a migrant camp on Sandwith Street being set alight. Pepper later said gardaí raided his house and accused him of being responsible.

He also encouraged crowds to gather in the city centre in the wake of the stabbing of three children and a carer on Parnell Square last November.

“Everyone city centre tonight 7pm no excuses everyone out enough is enough,” he said in a later-deleted post on X, formerly Twitter. The ensuing riots resulted in extensive damage in the city centre with buses and a Luas tram set alight and shops looted.

Pepper was also present at the infamous demonstration outside Leinster House last September which featured a noose.

His is the third anti-migrant candidate to be elected to the Council, following the election of Malachy Steenson in the North Inner City and the Conor McGregor-backed Phil Sutcliffe, who also stood on an anti-migrant platform in Ballyfermot.

Gavin Pepper (centre) has been elected as a councillor in the Ballymun-Finglas area for Dublin City Council. He is pictured with supporters including Kevin Coyle (right) who's running in the Artane-Whitehall area. Photo: Enda O'Dowd

Dublin Mayor de Róiste loses Council seat, anti-migrant candidate elected

Olivia Kelly writes

Independent Ireland candidate Phil Sutcliffe, a former boxer and boxing coach for UFC fighter Conor McGregor’s, is the second far right candidate elected to Dublin City Council following Malachy Steenson.

Sutcliffe, whose campaign was supported by McGregor ran on an anti-immigration platform. He was elected to the Ballyfermot Drimnagh area on the 10th count, along with Ray Cunningham of the Green Party.

Sutcliffe and Cunningham were over 300 votes ahead of Fianna Fáil Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste after the votes of Sophie Niccolaud were distributed.

Macron dissolves French parliament and calls Snap Election

French president Emmanuel Macron has dissolved the national assembly and announced a snap election on June 30th and July 7th.

After exit polls showed that Marine le Pen’s right-wing National Rally had won 31.5 per cent of the vote, more than double that of the president’s list (party), Mr Macron said in a national address that it was pointless to pretend that nothing had happened.

The move was unexpected and came as a shock. Mr Macron argued the EU parliament election results was not good for his party or for France and warned about the rise of nationalism, which he described as a danger to France and to Europe.

Lord Mayor of Cork shows off dance moves after being elected

Kieran McCarthy did not disguise his excitement when his election was announced in the South East Ward of Cork City Council. An impressive spin was followed by a quick two-step of delight.

Lisa Chambers says Sinn Féin drop has put her “in the mix” for fifth seat in MNW

Fiachra Gallagher writes from Castlebar

Lisa Chamber told reporters in Castlebar on Sunday that she was confident her party would win at least one seat in Midlands North West (MNW), and predicated that she would “be in the mix” for the fifth and final seat.

“There appears to be a decline in the Sinn Féin support base that we weren’t expecting, certainly on the level that’s there, that’s shaking things up a little bit,” she said.

Ms Chambers attributed the slump in Sinn Féin support to “errors” in recent months – namely their messaging on immigration and housing. “They’ve tried to be all things to all people,” she said.

A first count in MNW is not expected until Monday evening at the earliest.

Right-wing candidate Philip Dwyer removed from South Dublin count centre after ‘altercation’.

Sarah Burns writes

The right-wing anti-migration candidate, Philip Dwyer, has been removed by gardaí from the Weston Centre, where the South Dublin local election count is being held.

Dwyer, who styles himself as a citizen journalist, is believed to have become involved in an altercation with Gino Kenny and Paul Murphy, both TDs with People Before Profit.

A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council said that “gardaí removed a candidate from the Weston Airport count centre this evening following an altercation with another candidate at the centre”.

Dwyer is a candidate in Tallaght Central standing for Ireland First. He received 556 votes in the first count and is unlikely to get elected in the six-seater.

Micheál Martin says he did not foresee extent of drop in Sinn Féin support

Barry Roche writes

Tánaiste Micheál Martin says he was surprised by the collapse of Sinn Féin vote down to 11pc and said he didn’t see it coming to that extent

But he also warned against commentators attaching too much importance to opinion polls as they don’t always capture the mood on the ground and don’t capture the importance of campaigns.

He expressed satisfaction with the party’s performance in Europe pointing out that Billy Kelleher is on course to hold his seat in Ireland South while he still had hopes that Cynthia ni Mhurchu would be in the mix for the final seat

Second Female Poll Topper in County Meath

Louise Walsh Ferriter writes

Fine Gael has a second woman poll topper after Cllr Sharon Tolan took the first seat in Laytown/Bettystown area of Meath Co. Council.

She had 1,782 first preference votes, exceeding the quota of 1,681.

With five seats now filled in the county, the count stands at three FG and two independents. There is still along way to go to fill the remaining 35 seats.

New Soc Dem councillor elected in leader Holly Cairn’s constituency

from David Forsythe

Holly Cairns was an unexpected winner of a council seat in west Cork in 2109. And her margin was the thinnest possible. She won the last seat by a single vote after rechecks and a recount. Less than a year later she was a TD. Now, five years later she is leader of the Social Democrats.

It has been a good day for the Soc Dems in Cairn’s home patch. Two of its candidates could be elected in West Cork. A short while ago, Ann Bambury was the first; elected in Bandon Kinsale, taking the fourth seat. She exceeded the quota of 2,379 on the seventh count.

The State of Play – Half Way There

We have reached the half way point of the local election count. As of now there are 475 seats filled. Fine Gael leads the way with 138 seats, followed by Fianna Fáil with 123. There is battle between the two traditional parties as to who will be the largest. Fianna Fáil won that contest in 2019 but it looks like Fine Gael will be slightly ahead this time around, albeit with some relatively small seat losses for both parties. Fianna Fáil won 279 five years ago but won’t emulate that feat.

Does this signal an early election? No, says Taoiseach Simon Harris. “I have been Taoiseach of this country for 61 days. I promised the people we would hit the ground running and I would bring an energy to the campaign trail and to Government buildings.

“I want to continue that work tomorrow. There is lots of work to be done.

“That the Government will do its full term is important and I look forward to continuing that.”

For now, that is.

“We have made some gains. They are modest, but they’re there. It hasn’t been our day.”

—  Mary Lou McDonald

Two months ago Sinn Féin would have been vying with the other two. But a precipitous drop in its poll ratings in addition to a poor candidate strategy have combined to suppress the surge that everybody expected from the main Opposition party. The party’s reverse engineering after the 2020 election has backfired.

Then, it ran too few candidates and left nine or ten gains in the Dáil behind.

It has now over-compensated and has ran too many.

In Dublin South West Inner City, it ran three in a ward where it could take one seat at most. The same was true of Mary Lou McDonald’s own bailiwick of Cabra-Glasnevin where it ran four candidates.

At this moment in time it has 36 seats and only 11.6 per cent of the vote. That is a third of the heady support levels it was getting in the opinion polls until recent months.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are both on about 23 per cent support. There is also evidence the parties are transferring to each other, although it seems the traffic is heavier coming from the Fine Gael side!

The party’s poor performance has been the prime story from these elections. Sure it will make gains but it was starting from a low base. It won only 80 seats in 2019, compared to 160 in 2014. Another factor was that the party had too many new and inexperience candidates. Some months ago, rivals from other parties in County Galway told me they saw no evidence of Sinn Féin representatives at local meetings, or events, or on the streets. The party relied too heavily, they argued, on its overall branding and image, as well as social media. It is also true that the party lost some support on the back of the migration issue.

“We have made some gains. They are modest, but they’re there. It hasn’t been our day. Clearly frustrations and indeed anger with Government policy, on this occasion, has translated into votes for Independents and others,” Ms McDonald said today.

She accepted the candidate strategy was not right.

“In 2020 we didn’t run enough candidates and as you know I heard a message loud and clear in that regard. I wanted to be sure that we didn’t make that mistake again. I wanted to be sure that everybody, wherever you lived, that you would have a chance to vote for Sinn Féin candidates,” she said. “But look, clearly we didn’t get that right.”

Of the other parties the Greens look like they will fall from about 50 councillors to mid 20s. The party’s support held up partially in Dublin but it has lost councillors in rural Ireland. Labour looks poised to make gains and there are signs of recovery of a party that some predicted might struggle for survival after the next election.

The Soc Dems also look they will make gains. In 2019, the party won a lot of the very last seats in marginal constituencies and has proved to be very transfer friendly.

The other big narrative is that of the Independent candidates who are sure better the total from 2109. There are now a number of alliances or groups with a cluster of independent councillors. The largest of them is the new whip-less party Independent Ireland, which may return up to 20 councillors, and possibly two MEPs. Then there are the Independents associated with Michael Lowry in Tipperary, Verona Murphy in Wexford, and the three single-issue Mica councillors in Donegal.

“I have been Taoiseach of this country for 61 days. I promised the people we would hit the ground running and I would bring an energy to the campaign trail and to Government buildings.

—  Simon HarrisSeven councillors elected on first count in much-delayed Longford counts

Jess Thompson writes

It’s all go in Longford now after a very long wait. The first count for Longford LEA has seen not one, not two, not three, but four councillors elected – all four of whom are sitting councillors in the area.

Gerry Hagan (FG) topped the poll with 1,071 votes, with Martin Monaghan (FF) coming in just behind him at 1,051 votes. Seamus Butler (FF) was just ten votes behind with 1,041, while Peggy Nolan (FG) won 890 votes.

Meanwhile, the first count in Granard LEA has seen three elected in one fell swoop. Fine Gael’s Garry Murtagh topped the poll with 1,450 votes. Turlough ‘Pott’ McGovern (Ind) followed with 1,413 votes, while Paraic Brady (FG) won 1,211 votes.

The surplus votes for Paul Ross (FG) are currently being transferred in Ballymahon LEA following his election on the first count earlier this afternoon.

There are five seats still up for grabs in Ballymahon, with three remaining in Longford and just two in Granard.

Far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) makes gains in Germany

Derek Scally writes from Berlin

Germany’s European election result saw nearly every fourth voter choose populist parties on the right and left fringes, with losses for all three parties in the coalition of Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) finished up nearly six points in second place, according to early projections, with 16.5 per cent and 17 seats in the new parliament.

Meanwhile the new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), a breakaway from the Linke (Left) with pro-Russian and anti-immigration policies, took 5.5 per cent from a standing start to take five seats.

Some 22 per cent support for populist parties sent an alarming signal to Germany’s established parties, given AfD and BSW performed even stronger in eastern regions where voters choose new state parliaments in September.

The results mean considerable changes in the 96 German seats, the largest country bloc in the European Parliament.

Among Berlin’s warring three-party “traffic light” coalition, losses were most dramatic among the Green Party: it lost nearly nine points and could shed up to nine seats in the new parliament.

First data from Eu-wide exit polls suggests gains for far right and losses for Greens

Jack Power writes from Brussels

The European Greens are projected to lose a large number of the seats they won five years ago, with exit polls indicating a big drop in support in their traditional heartland of Germany.

While the far right Alternative for Germany (AfD) are set to become the second biggest party in Germany, despite a rocky campaign full of controversy.

Exit poll data shows the centre right Christian Democratic Union are to top the poll in Germany, with chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SDP) to finish in third place, behind AfD.

The far right Freedom Party of Austria are projected to top the poll there and gain a number of seats, with exit polls showing them finishing ahead of the centre right Austrian People’s Party and the centre left Social Democratic Party of Austria.

In Greece the centre right New Democracy will remain the largest party, with an exit poll showing it taking 30 per cent of the votes. Left wing Syriza are on course to finish as runners up, with around 16 per cent of the vote. Greek Solution, a far right party, is expected to be the fifth largest party, with exit polls show it winning about 8 per cent of votes.

Geert Wilders’ far right Party for Freedom will gain several seats in the Netherlands, where support for centre parties appears to have held up well, according to exit polls.

Michael Healy-Rae has the Last Word

Back in April Green Party leader Eamon Ryan told a news conference that he had shocking news for the Healy Rae family. “The Kingdom is going Green,” he declared, predicting big seat gains for the party in the Kingdom at the expense of the Healy Raes.

The Kerry TD waited until today to give his response to Ryan. What do they say about revenge being a dish best served cold.

And here it is:

Britto Pereppadan (FG) follows his father, Baby, on to South Dublin County Council.

Fine Gael’s Britto Pereppadan (24) is elected on ninth count for Tallaght Central. His father, Baby Pereppadan, was elected for Tallaght South, earlier on sixth count.

Here is Bryan O’Brien’s lovely video of that moment.

Dublin Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste in battle to save his seat

The current Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste is in a struggle to regain his seat in the Ballyfermot-Drimnagh LEA.

He is currently lying fifth after the eighth count on 1,291 but only one vote ahead of Independent Philip Sutcliffe (1,290) and less than 200 votes ahead of the other remaining candidates, Sophie Nicollaud and Dolores Webster.

Webster came to prominence as an anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine protester and de Róiste’s fate will depend on transfers. Nicollaud is a left-wing candidate and is part of the Independents 4 Change group.

Sutcliffe is the former boxing coach of Conor McGregor and is endorsed by the MMA fighter.

It’s very hard to predict where the transfers will go.

Another long-serving incumbent retains seat on Dublin City Council

Olivia Kelly writes

Long serving Independent councillor Cieran Perry is the first councillor elected on the 9th count in the extremely crowded field of Cabra-Glasnevin.

Perry was first elected in 2009, topped the poll in 2014 and was comfortably re-elected in 2019. The Cabra-Glasnevin area has the highest number of candidates in running for Dublin City Council at 21.

Shay Brennan reelected to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown

Marie O’Halloran writes

Fianna Fáil Cllr Shay Brennan has been re-elected to the Dundrum LEA of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council on the fourth count. He is the first of Fianna Fáil’s councillors to be re-elected. His colleague Cllr Colette O’Sullivan lost her seat in the Dún Laoghaire ward when she was excluded on the second count.

Green Party Cllr Tom Kivlehan was re-elected in Dún Laoghaire on the fifth count, the second councillor in that electoral area to be elected. Cllr Kivlehan said that he and poll topper Fine Gael Cllr Lorraine Hall were both in favour of the controversial Living Streets initiative in the town and they got the votes.

People are in favour of green initiatives he said. The Living Streets initiative will allow for the main street to be both pedestrianised and for vehicular use but with priority for pedestrians. He added that there was no inclusion of cycle lanes. “That’s a myth,” he said.

Hi It’s Harry McGee taking over for the evening shift taking you into the wee hours.

I’ve just come from The Irish Times podcast and we were audiobombed towards the end by Taoiseach Simon Harris who was visiting the count centre in the RDS.

Jack Horgan-Jones, intrepid as always, cajoled him into saying a few words to Hugh Linehan.

What he had to say was interesting.

We had just been talking about the prospect of an early general election and Hugh told him we all believed it would be “bonkers” for the Government to wait until Spring.

“My position in relation to the General election is the same,” he said.

“I have been Taoiseach of this country for 61 days. I promised the people we would hit the ground running and I would bring an energy to the campaign trail and to Government buildings.

“I want to continue that work tomorrow. There is lots of work to be done.

“The Government will do its full term is important and I look forward to continuing that.”

So he is saying the Government will do his full term. And the Government will continue to say that until it says the Government is not doing its full term.

The Taoiseach was also interesting about the transfers that are passing between the Government parties.

“There is no transfer pact between the Government parties and I don’t expect to be one,” he said.

“What you are seeing now is an organic agreement between the Government parties.”

That’s a trend that will be evident as we go into the general election. Essentially, there will be an unspoken agreement between the parties in the expectation that the electorate will view them as a bloc.

“The Government will do its full term is important and I look forward to continuing that.”

—  Simon Harris

Okay, so that’s it from me, Conor Pope. I am leaving you in the more than capable hand of Harry McGee but in the words of the Terminator, I’ll be back ... from early tomorrow morning.

Scenes in the RDS as anti-immigration candidate Malachy Steenson is elected in the north inner city LEA.

NEWS SNAP: Anti-immigration candidate Derek Blighe eliminated on sixth count in Fermoy.

Sinn Féin is back in Co Offaly after its 2019 wipeout, writes Ellen O’Riordan. First-timer Aoife Masterson won a seat in Tullamore on the fourth count. Her running mate Tim Farrell received just 201 first-preference votes and was eliminated on the second count. Fianna Fáil has run four candidates in Tullamore, two of which have been elected. Its other two are leading among those competing for the final two seats in this area.

They have their priorities right in Clare.

Harris says position on early election ‘hasn’t changed’

Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking to the media at the RDS count centre in Dublin. Sam Boal/Collins

The Taoiseach Simon Harris has said his position on when the general election should be held “hasn’t changed” despite Fine Gael’s success in the Local Elections.

Mr Harris has previously said he wanted the Coalition to continue for its full term, which would mean the general election would not happen until early next year.

Fine Gael may well end up as the largest party in Local Government after Friday’s vote while the main Opposition party, Sinn Féin is disappointed by their own results.

Speaking at the RDS count centre in Dublin, Mr Harris said: “I’ve answered this question many times since becoming Taoiseach ... but my position in relation to that hasn’t changed.”

He said he was “absolutely delighted with the performance of the Fine Gael team right across the country in rural Ireland and in urban Ireland.”

Mr Harris added that it was “great to see hard working councillors being rewarded” and he thanked people for voting for his party.

Anti-immigration activist Steenson elected in Dublin’s north inner city

Anti-immigration activist Malachy Steenson has been elected in the North Inner City becoming the first far-right councillor elected to Dublin City Council, writes Olivia Kelly.

Shortly after 3pm on Sunday Steenson’s supporters hoisted him aloft and declared him elected, posting the same across social media. He hadn’t been, and it was not until more than an hour and a half later that he was elected to the North Inner City area on the 12th count.

Candidate Malachy Steenson at the RDS count centre on. Sunday. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins

Steenson a former Workers’ Party candidate has swung to the extreme opposite end of the political spectrum as a far-right activist.

A solicitor, Steenson has a history of association with anti-immigration activists including Irish Freedom Party leader Hermann Kelly.

Steenson led anti-immigration protests in East Wall in late 2022 and has shared social media posts referencing the “plantation” of migrants into Ireland as well as a video of an asylum seeker being told to “get your stuff and f**k off out”.

A lifelong republican, Steenson was expelled from the Workers Party more than a decade ago for attending an anti-abortion rally.

NEWS SNAP: The first count has been completed in Meath where Independent Cllr Noel French and Fine Gael Cllr Joe Fox were elected on the first count, writes Louise Walsh Ferriter. French, who left the Fine Gael party last year received over double the quota of 1,690 with an impressive 3,963 first preference votes.

Looking good for FG in Longford

Finally, we have Longford news from Jessica Thompson. Newly elected councillor Paul Ross (FG) has said he’s confident Fine Gael will do well across the county of Longford – including Ballymahon, where Colm Murray is in danger of losing his seat.

Cllr Ross soared into the lead in yesterday’s tallies and was elected this afternoon on the first count, with 1,300 votes (18.5 per cent), surpassing the quota by 297 votes.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” he said. “This is a tough job and days like today with your family and getting a great vote – it’s what it’s all about.

“I have been here on the other side of the coin, ten years ago when it took four days to get elected to the second last seat in the Ballymahon area – the fifth seat out of sixth – and today I got the first seat going in Ballymahon, so it’s very, very satisfying and I’m delighted.”

His party has polled well across Longford, particularly in Granard Municipal District, where tallies suggest four out of five seats will be taken by Fine Gael candidates.

“I think Fine Gael have polled extremely well across the county. In Granard it looks like we’re going to get four (seats) out of five. In Longford town, we’re going to get three out of seven and, in Ballymahon, I’m still confident we can get three out of six,” he said. “We have very good candidates in Martin Skelly and Colm Murray.”

He recalled his time ten years ago when his election relied on transfers and said he is confident that Colm Murray will keep his seat.

Oh. Hi. They’re filled in Athenry

All even seats in Athenry-Oranmore in Galway are filled and announced, but word starting to emerge that Fine Gael may seek a recount as their candidate Eoghan Gallagher – who is President of Young Fine Gael – only lost out by 19 votes to another newcomer Cillian Keane of Fianna Fáil, reports John Fallon.

Christy Burke is home and hosed in Dublin.

Just some of the Healy Raes getting a lift in Kerry.

Count staff sort ballots at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork, Ireland during the count for the European elections. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

NEWS SNAP: Athy councillor Aoife Breslin (Labour) has scored a stunning victory in her local electoral area. Her 2,347 votes were almost 700 above the quota in the five seat constituency. It was also the highest individual vote for any candidate in Co Kildare. She is confident that her transfers will bring home her running mate Mark Leigh.

NEWS SNAP: Fine Gael’s Baby Pereppadan elected for Tallaght Central on sixth count.

NEWS SNAP: Oh my word. The result of count the fourth count in Bailieborough-Cootehill has resulted in a tie between the two lowest candidates – Kristofer Shakelton (II) and Garry Cosgrove (Ind) who are each on 727 votes.

The Returning Officer, Lynda McGavigan, has acceded to a request for a full recount of those candidates’ votes. While they are both unlikely to be in contention for a seat, the order in which they are eliminated will have a major bearing on which candidates secure the remaining seats.

NEWS SNAP: Ireland First’s Derek Blighe may be eliminated on Fermoy’s 6th count, reports Liz Dunphy. There was no one elected on the fifth count there are three seats to fill. Kay Dawson (FG) on 1,254 votes; Peter O’Donoghue (NP) 1,192 votes; Diarmuid Hanley (Lab) 1,125 votes. Blighe on 1,070 gained 69 transfers from outgoing cllr Frank Roche who was eliminated in the last round.

These things take time, lots and lots of time

We won’t have a result for the first count of the Midlands-North-West constituency until at least tomorrow afternoon, according to count staff.

Some 320 counters are working their way through the hundreds of thousands of votes from across the vast constituency, sorting into pigeon holes and then stacking in piles of 50.

Incumbent MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan said earlier that he booked a hotel room for the whole week.

NEWS SNAP: All seven seats in Monaghan LEA now filled, reports Seanín Graham. SF’s Sean Conlon elected on seventh count. FG’s Pauric Clerkin – Heather Humphreys’ assistant – is first time candidate and wins seat without reaching quota. SF’s Bronagh McAree, another new candidate, also wins seat without meeting quota. FG’s David Maxwell retains his seat – again, doesn’t meet quota. SF is bucking national trend – party’s gamble of fielding its highest ever number of candidates in Monaghan has paid off.

Elections are like buses, or are they?

Fine Gael TD Michael Ring believes the Taoiseach should call a general election in October, and build on Fine Gael’s steady local elections performance, writes Fiachra Gallagher.

“I think Fine Gael would be well to go to the country, go to the country in October,” the Mayo TD said, speaking at the Midlands-North-West count centre in Castlebar on Sunday. “Now is the time.”

Mr Ring also praised the role of Mr Harris in rejuvenating the party. He admitted that had there been a leadership battle following Leo Varadkar’s stepping down as Fine Gael leader earlier this year, he would have voted for Paschal Donohoe – but Mr Harris’s energy has really impressed him, he said.

“Certainly, Simon Harris, and I have to be very honest here, has done a superb job. He has really lifted us and he lifted the campaign.”

NEWS SNAP: Sinn Féin retained their seat for the southeast Inner City LEA after Kourtney Kenny was elected following the 10th count.

And on the other side of the country, the Belmullet LEA is complete. Gerry Coyle (FG) and Paul McNamara (FF) elected on the fourth count. McNamara got a tremendous vote from his native Achill. Sean Carey (FF) elected on the fifth and final count. All three councillors elected in 2019 returned again. Another massive blow for Sinn Féin in Mayo, who had high hopes for Rosaleen Dixon-Lally in Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh’s home constituency. Sinn Féin councillor Daniel Céitinn lost his seat in this LEA after the ninth count.

She didn’t use an ‘I’m Janet Horner, I’m in your corner’ slogan on her posters – or indeed anywhere else – which seems like an open goal missed to me, but she has still been re-elected as this video proves.

NEWS SNAP: Half of the Monaghan county council’s 18 seats have now been filled, reports Seanín Graham. That’s three FG, three FF, two SF and one Independent. All eyes now on the Independent seat vacated by the local authority’s most colourful representative, Hugh McElvaney, who stepped down in Ballybay Clones after 50 years of service. SF hotly tipped to get it.

NEWS SNAP: Sean Murray writes that we are “close to filling the remaining two seats in the Kilmuckridge LEA in Wexford. The SF candidate Declan Kenny has been eliminated so it’s a straight shoot-out between Paddy Kavanagh (Ind), Willie Kavanagh (FF) and Oliver Walsh (FG) for the last two seats.

NEWS SNAP: The fourth count s under way in Bailieborough Cootehill. Just three votes separate the bottom two candidates – Kristofer Shekelton (II) and Garry Cosgrove (Ind) – with 12 of Carmel Brady’s surplus up for distribution. It’s as close as it can be but the order in which close candidates are eliminated will make or break the count for other candidates still in the race. The question on everyone’s lips here is – what happens if they are tied after the next count? Linda O’Reilly will have the answers presently.

News to gladden the heart in Galway

The count to elect the 18 councillors for Galway City Council has traditionally been like the city’s traffic – frustratingly slow – and this year will not be an exception with a third day of counting now inevitable after a full recount was called in one of the three wards, writes John Fallon.

So far, just five of the 18 councillors have been elected. Current mayor Eddie Hoare (FG) and former mayor Mike Cubbard (Ind) have been elected in Galway City Central, while in Galway City East three of the six seats have been filled with sitting councillors Alan Cheevers (FF), and Independents Declan McDonnell and Terry O’Flaherty elected.

However, a full recount has now been called in this ward with four candidates chasing the remaining three seats. Aisling Burke of Sinn Féin and first-time Labour candidate Helen Ogbu look good to claim seats but with Shane Forde (FG) just 16 votes ahead of sitting councillor Mike Crowe, the Fianna Fáil candidate has sought a recount which Galway City Returning Officer Gary McMahon was ‘an acceptable request’.

A full recount is now due to start at Westside Community Centre and with the count for the six seats in Galway City West not yet started, it’s inevitable the count will continue for a third day.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald has said she is 'disappointed' with Sinn Fein's performance in the local elections. Video: Enda O'Dowd

DLR seats start to fill up

The Labour Party has had its second success in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown with the re-election of Cllr Carrie Smyth who topped the poll in the Killiney-Shankill electoral area with 13.4 per cent of the vote.

Ms Smyth said Labour has held its own in the constituency and expects to return five of its six electoral seats. “Unfortunately we’re not going to hold probably, the second seat in Killiney-Shankill”, held by retiring Cllr and outgoing mayor Denis O’Callaghan.

“We’re doing extremely well nationally, a lot higher than the polls were giving us before this election, which was down to 3 per cent or 4 per cent” when the party was actually on around 10 per cent.

Cllr Smyth believed that “with the Simon surge there could be an early general election. People are talking about the 4th of July, quick and snappy,” she laughed.

Fine Gael has elected its sixth councillor after John Kennedy passed the quota on the second count in Stillorgan. All six are incumbents.

Independent Cllr Sean McLoughlin has topped the poll in Dundrum electoral area of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown with 16 per cent of the vote and has been returned on the first count along with Fine Gael Cllr Jim O’Leary.

It is the second poll topping performance for an Independent following the election of Michael Fleming Glencullen-Sandyford with 32.9 per cent of the vote. Both councillors said their election was not a reflection of a surge for Independents but based on their own hard work in their communities.

Cllr Fleming said he worked hard for his community. Mr Fleming who has two butchers shops in Stepaside and Kilmacud has often groups with free burgers and other food.

“I’ve aways supported sports clubs and community groups, long before I became a councillor. I was born and bred in Sandyford and am very much involved in the area.” The poll topper has not ruled out running in the general election, but said he would have to consult his family and supporters.

Historic victory for Sinn Féin in Waterford

Sinn Féin have won their first seat ever in Waterford’s Lismore LEA, as Donnchadh Mulcahy saw off the challenge of Independent candidate Brian Buckley by 39 votes.

Speaking on the victory, Mulcahy said, “I really appreciate the fact that the far west of the county have put their belief in me. It’s a great honour to be the first, it’s something I will remember for a long time. It’s been a long campaign, but now the real work starts.”

All three seats have been filled in Lismore, the first LEA in the county to do so.

John Pratt (Labour), Niamh O’Donovan (Fine Gael) and Donnchadh Mulcahy (Sinn Féin) make up the new council.

I wonder do the teams surrounding the would-be politicians do much training for the possible shoulder lifting that might be expected of them? This short video is worth watching for the three whoos at the end of it alone!

NEWS SNAP: The first count is in for the Athlone electoral area and Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran is officially elected with 3,782 votes. The first count in Kinnegad has also been announced but no candidate has made the quota.

I mean, seriously, have you ever seen a more delighted Minister for Public Expenditure than Paschal Donohoe in this pic? Photograph Nick Bradshaw

Some more shoulder hoisting is happening. This time it's Fianna Fail's Keith Connolly as he celebrates his election to Dublin City Council for the Ballymun Finglas LEA. Photograph Nick Bradshaw

NEWS SNAP: Fine Gael’s Noel O’Donovan is the first candidate to be elected for the Skibbereen west Cork LEA. The former garda topped the poll on the first count and was elected on the fourth count, exceeding the quota of 2,531.

NEWS SNAP: Carina Johnson of Labour wins second seat for the party in Rush/Lusk area in Fingal on third count.

A general election this year ‘inevitable’ Green MEP says

Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe who is in a real battle to save his seat has said that an election this year is “inevitable”, reports Jack Horgan Jones.

At the Dublin count in the RDS this afternoon he was asked if the results had changed the electoral calculus and in response he suggested that a 2024 general election “was inevitable anyway”.

He expressed the view that March 2025 – the latest a general election can be held – was too late and asked “do you really want to stretch it to March of next year”, citing the weather as a key factor.

He said Barry Andrews (FF), Regina Doherty (FG) and Lynn Boylan (SF) would win seats to the European Parliament in the days ahead and then it would be all to play for. He said he felt immigration came up on the campaign trail less often than the media coverage might have suggested.

Fine Gael's Ray McAdam celebrates his election to Dublin City Council from the North Inner City LEA with friends, family and colleagues including the Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe, who has his arms aloft Photograph Nick Bradshaw

We have news from Sligo from Marese McDonagh.

First count in the Ballymote Tubbercurry LEA is in and former Sligo footballer Paul Taylor (FF) has topped the poll. Nobody reached the quota on the first count in this seven seater where outgoing councillors Gerard Mullaney (FG), Dara Mulvey (FG) Michael Clarke (Ind) and Joe Queenan (Ind) are set to be re-elected. A battle for the final two seats is anticipated.

Meanwhile Green Party candidate Johnny Gogan has been eliminated on the sixth count in the Sligo-Strandhill LEA. His votes are now being distributed.

‘Not our day’ – McDonald

The leader of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald has been speaking to reporters at the count centre in the RDS and, it is fair to say, she was pretty downbeat about the results but determined that that party will do better in the future.

“We have made some gains, they are modest and but they’re there,” she said. “It hasn’t been our day [and] frustration – anger indeed – with Government policy on this occasion has translated into votes for independents and others.”

NEWS SNAP: First count in Meath due in next hour. It is expected it will be Trim MD where independent Noel French, who left the Fine Gael party last year, is expected to top the poll. Louise Walsh Ferriter is there for us.

Nip and tuck to see who will finish on top, Chambers

Speaking on Radio 1, Fianna Fáil Minister for State and director of elections for the local elections Jack Chambers said it was not yet clear which party would be the largest in local government

“We are within less than a per cent of each of each other and a lot of this is going to come down to transfers in 5, 6, and 7 seat constituencies and local geography and candidate strategy will play a key role. If you take the wider picture and the last two or three weeks we had Sinn Féin and Fine Gael polling in all of the opinion polls at 20-22 per cent, Fianna Fáil was apparently in the mid teens and that was kind of setting the wider analysis of the political picture entering into this local elections [but] we’re nip and tuck with Fine Gael about who will become the largest party local government.”

He said it was “clear that both parties are going to be strong forces across councils in across the country. We’re going to be larger in some and Fine Gael in others but one thing is clear that Sinn Féin have had a devastating result a complete rejection of their message of change.”

NEWS SNAP: Kanturk is the first LEA in Cork County to fill all seats as Fianna Fáil’s Ian Doyle, former county mayor, takes the fourth and final seat on the eighth count, writes Liz Dunphy

The battle to be the largest party of local government remains too close to call between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil as the second day of counting continues in local and European elections, writes Jack Horgan Jones.

With just under a quarter of seats filled on local authorities, Fine Gael have 73 seats and a first preference vote share of 23.23 per cent, ahead of Fianna Fáil’s 64 seats with a 22 per cent share of the vote.

Speaking privately, a Fianna Fáil Minister said it was “neck and neck”.

“Neither party can confidently say they will be ahead of the other at this point,” the Minister said on Sunday.

We’re mad for the shoulder hoisting so we are

NEWS SNAP: Independent Cllr Maeve Yore has been re-elected to Louth County Council, after topping the poll for the Dundalk South local electoral Area, reports Shauna Bowers. After receiving 2,150 of votes, surpassing the quota of 1,513, this will be Cllr Yore’s third term in the chamber.

Women likely to be poorly represented in Donegal

Only the 100 per cent Redress candidate Joy Beard and sitting councillor Niamh Kennedy stand any chance of becoming a woman voice on the council in Donegal, writes Stephen Maguire.

First-timer Beard has tallied very well in Inishowen and looks in a strong position to take a seat for the first time.

Sitting independent councillor Niamh Kennedy will have to fight all the way if she is to hold on to her seat in the Donegal Constituency.

A total of just 19 of the 91 candidates for the 2024 local elections in Donegal are women.

A total of four councillors elected in the 2019 were woman.

But that number will at least half if tally figures are correct for the 2024 election.

The passing of Fianna Fáil Councillor Noreen McGarvey, the resignation of Sinn Féin’s Marie Therese Gallagher and the decision by Rena Donaghey not to seek re-election, meant that Niamh Kennedy was the only sitting councillor seeking re-election after the term of the last council expired.

Just 12 women have served as Donegal County Councillors with Independent Fianna Fáil candidate Susan McGonagle becoming Donegal’s first woman councillor 45 years ago.

Roscommon people make it Independents day

After a long adjudication process over uncertain votes, the first South Roscommon count finally happened at just after midday today, with three sitting councillors returned, reports James Fogarty.

In the Athlone Local Election Area, first time candidate Emer Kelly, who was co-opted on to the council in May 2021, put in a stunning performance, with 1,946 votes, and topping the poll. The 24 old year old occupational therapist said she was delighted and humbled to be elected as the first woman councillor elected in the area.

“I am so, so grateful for everyone who came out to vote and gave me this opportunity. We had a fantastic team of canvassers over the last couple of weeks,” the 24 year old independent councillor said. “They put in Trojan work, there was no house in the constituency that we didn’t knock on the door. It was an incredible response, I am so happy and honoured and humbled. I never expected this.”

Veteran councillor Tony Ward was also elected on the first count. A tremendous vote getter, he secured 1786 votes from all around the district. An independent councillor and former cathaoirleach of the county, he was first elected in 2004 and previously topped the poll in 2019, with 1,864.

Cllr John Naughten, brother of Independent TD Denis Naughten, was also elected on the first count with 1,750.

Update from Barry Roche in Cork. Count Staff in the Nemo Rangers GAA clubsay they are noticing a lot of papers are showing No 1 for Sean Kelly and No 2 for Billy Kelleher and vice versa – again comes with a health warning, no idea where the papers are from or how representative they are.

NEWS SNAP: There’s a wrap from the Celbridge LEA in Co Kildare with Labour’s Rupert Heather elected on the 7th count, writes Ronan McGreevy. The four seats have been filled by David Trost (FF), Claire O’Rourke (SD) and Lumi Panaite Fahey (FG), a Romanian woman who only entered the race four weeks ago.

Ireland First party president and candidate Derek Blighe (right) visits Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork, during the count for the European elections. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Niall Boylan not ruling out a general election run out

No change highly likely in Killarney

From Anne Lucey – A first count is due in Killarney at 2pm and it is highly likely that all seven sitting councillors will be returned to Kerry County Council.

While Maura Healy-Rae’s performance will again be impressive in Killarney, it is another Independent, first-time candidate Martin Grady, who is the surprise story here. Co-opted following the retirement of his father Donal less than a year ago, the firefighter battled to get on the ballot. Guidelines on council employees seeking election were changed on the eve of a court case brought by Grady challenging a Department of Housing circular to Kerry County Council on retained firefighters.

Grady has been outspoken on immigration issues, with his first motion on the council last September calling for Ukrainian refugees who were working while living in hotels to pay towards their accommodation and other costs. He failed to get support.

He has also objected to the use of Killarney’s only homeless facility for Ukrainian refugees and has been outspoken on concerns about the opening of a fifth international protection centre in Killarney, at the Harmony Inn on Muckross Road.

With tallies putting him on some 2,000 first preferences, Grady is set to be 400 votes over the estimated quota of 1,700.

So, where are we now when it comes to the local election counts? Well as of a few minutes ago this was the state of play around the country. You’d have to feel sorry for the politicians, their campaign teams, the count centre staff – and maybe even the journalists – working in Donegal, Meath Laois and Longford right now.

Carlow 10/18Cavan 5/18Clare 17/28Cork City 5/31Cork Co 21/55Donegal 0/37Dublin city 11/63DLR 7/40Fingal 7/40Galway City 2/18Galway Co 17/39Kerry 7/33Kildare 15/40Kilkenny 8/24Laois 0/19Leitrim 18/18Limerick 13/40Longford 0/18Louth 3/29Mayo 13/30Meath 0/40Monaghan 6/18Offaly 3/19Roscommon 2/18Sligo 3/18South Dublin 6/40Tipperary 23/40Waterford 10/32Westmeath 1/20Wexford 7/34Wicklow 7/32FG get more than 50 per cent of the Stillorgan vote

Fine Gael Councillors Barry Saul and Maeve O’Connell were re-elected on the first count in the Stillorgan electoral area of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown after the party’s spectacular 53 per cent vote in the area, writes Marie O’Halloran.

A third Fine Gael candidate, John Kennedy is expected to be elected in this area, while Fianna Fáil and the Greens will also likely win a seat each, with the prospect of a seat for the Social Democrats as well.

Cllr Maeve O’Connell said the party’s 53 per cent “is a phenomenal result” an “it does seem to be a vote for stability and a reinforcement of the centre”. Asked if sh