Early signs point to familiar faces retaining their seats in Europe

Eyes now turn to Cork, Dublin and Castlebar for the results of the European Parliament elections.

At time of print on Sunday evening, indications from the Ireland South count centre pointed to no conclusive result before this Monday morning.

Over 600,000 ballot papers need to be checked and counted in the Nemo Rangers GAA complex in Cork.

The Treaty County’s interests have been well represented in this race by three Limerick candidates out of a total of 23.

Labour’s Prof Niamh Hourigan is the daughter of former Limerick Mayor Michael Hourigan, while Cian Prendiville, a former councillor for City North, flew the flag for People Before Profit-Solidarity.

Senator Paul Gavan from Castleconnell, ran on a two-person Sinn Fein ticket, though it’s his running mate, Carlow-Kilkenny TD Kathleen Funchion who looks the more comfortable in early tallies.

Indeed no Limerick candidate seems to be in with a chance, based on the early indications from Cork.

Early counting indicated that outgoing MEPs Sean Kelly (FG) and Billy Kelleher (FF) will be comfortably reelected.

Shannonside hopes may have to be carried by Clare’s Independent TD Michael McNamara, who swept the board in tallies of the Clare count.

He picked up 5000 first preferences out of 7000 European ballots tallied in his home Banner county, and now faces a battle with Kathleen Funchion (Sinn Fein), Mick Wallace (Independent) as well as outgoing MEP Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) for the last three seats.