Laois Independent candidate surges into first place reveals final Portarlington Graiguecullen local election tally

Independent candidate Ben Brennan looks set to top the Portarlington Graiguecullen, according to the final Fianna Fáil tally at the count centre in Portlaoise.

With just 3 of 38 boxes from the six-seat Municipal District not tallied the breakdown is as follows:

• Ben Brennan, Non-party, 1310, 13%
• Padraig Fleming, Fianna Fáil, 1261, 13%
• Paschal McEvoy, Fianna Fáil, 1149, 12%
• Aidan Mullins, Sinn Féin, 1125, 12%
• Aisling Moran, non-party, 1065, 11%
• PJ Kelly, Fine Gael, 856, 9%
• Aaron Kelly, Sinn Féin, 698, 7%
• Vivienne Phelan, Fine Gael, 697, 7%
• Joe Kennedy, Fianna Fáil, 478, 5%
• Patsy Fennell, Independent Ireland, 444, 5%
• Eoghan Barry, Labour Party, 478, 5%
• Charlie Hackett, Green Party, 166, 2%

A total 12 candidates are vying for six seats in the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.

The votes are being sorted at the CBS / Scoil Chriost Ri sports hall in Portlaoise. They will be counted at the Kea Lew business park from Saturday evening.