Longford #LE24: Epic Dalton v Cassidy battle unfolding for final seat in Granard municipal district
An epic battle is unfolding between Cllr Colin Dalton (Fine Gael) and David Cassidy (Fianna Fáil) for the final seat in Granard municipal district.
Following the sixth count and the distribution of the 613 votes of Fianna Fáil's Susan Murphy it left three remaining candidates standing as follows ;
David Cassidy, Fianna Fáil +338 = 1,055
Colin Dalton, Fine Gael +87 = 1,059
Padraig McNamara, Fine Gael +76 = 1,111
With none of the candidates reaching the quota, the 26 vote surplus of Paraic Brady (FG) will now be distributed during Count 7.
Outgoing councillor Colin Dalton, who many predicted would safely hold onto his seat, is now under immense pressure and he is just four votes ahead of Fianna Fáil newcomer David Cassidy and considering the geography involved the pendulum may just have swung back in Cassidy's favour.
The 4th seat will be claimed by FG's Padraig McNamara, joining Garry Murtagh, Turlough McGovern and Paraic Brady in the next County Council.
The situation is so tight that a recount can't be ruled out.
5 seats
9 candidates
Electorate: 10,955
Poll: 7,168
Spoilt Votes: 63
Valid Poll: 7,105
Quota: 1,185
FIRST COUNT
Paraic Brady, Fine Gael - 1,211
Barry Campion, Sinn Féin - 253
David Cassidy, Fianna Fáil - 543
Colin Dalton, Fine Gael - 820
Turlough McGovern, Independent - 1,413
Padraig McNamara, Fine Gael - 699
Susan Murphy, Fianna Fáil - 434
Garry Murtagh, Fine Gael - 1,450
Marett Smith, Fianna Fáil - 282
Elected: Garry Murtagh, Turlough McGovern and Paraic Brady
SECOND COUNT
(Distribution of G Murtagh 265 surplus)
Barry Campion, Sinn Féin +20 = 273
David Cassidy, Fianna Fáil +57 = 600
Colin Dalton, Fine Gael +63 = 883
Padraig McNamara, Fine Gael +36 = 735
Susan Murphy, Fianna Fáil +76 = 510
Marett Smith, Fianna Fáil +13 = 295
THIRD COUNT
(Distribution of T McGovern 228 surplus)
Barry Campion, Sinn Féin +21 = 294
David Cassidy, Fianna Fáil +15 = 615
Colin Dalton, Fine Gael +35 = 918
Padraig McNamara, Fine Gael +115 = 850
Susan Murphy, Fianna Fáil +14 = 524
Marett Smith, Fianna Fáil +28 = 323
Eliminated: Barry Campion
FOURTH COUNT
(Distribution of B Campion 294 votes)
David Cassidy, Fianna Fáil +46 = 661
Colin Dalton, Fine Gael +35 = 953
Padraig McNamara, Fine Gael +31 = 881
Susan Murphy, Fianna Fáil +28 = 552
Marett Smith, Fianna Fáil +13 = 336
Non-transferable: 141
Eliminated: Marett Smith
FIFTH COUNT
(Distribution of M Smith 336 votes)
David Cassidy, Fianna Fáil +56 = 717
Colin Dalton, Fine Gael +19 = 972
Padraig McNamara, Fine Gael +154 = 1,035
Susan Murphy, Fianna Fáil +61 = 613
Non-transferable: 46
Eliminated: Susan Murphy
SIXTH COUNT
(Distribution of S Murphy 613 votes)
Non-transferable: 112
SEVENTH COUNT
(Distribution of P Brady 26 votes surplus)