Recount likely in Laois local election

PJ Kelly and Vivienne Phelan are battling it out for the final seat

placeholder image — PJ Kelly and Vivienne Phelan are battling it out for the final seat

There's just two votes between two Fine Gael candidates for a final seat

A recount looks highly likely in the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District where just two votes separate Fine Gael candidates Vivienne Phelan and PJ Kelly for the sixth and final seat.

PJ Kelly is looking to retain his seat on the council in the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District which early on had looked like it would return the same six councillors.

However, Ms Phelan has attracted more transfers in the last five counts.

She began with 806 first preference votes to PJ Kelly’s 997 but on the ninth count she is just two votes behind on 1,224 to PJ Kelly’s 1,226. The margin is so fine that a recount seems highly likely.