John Clendennen leads first Birr LEA tallies

  Fine Gael candidate from Kinnitty John Clendennen was well out in front at 10.30 this morning when the first tally was released in the Birr Count Centre in St Brendan's Community School.

  Clendennen was tallied at 576 votes, or a 23% share of the Tally Poll.

  Next behind him was Sinn Fein candidate Sean Maher from Birr with 486 votes or 18% share of the Tally Poll.

  Fianna Fail's Audrey Hennessy-Kennedy was also doing very well according to this first Tally of the counts process with 450 votes or 18% of the Tally Poll.

  Peter Ormond (Fianna Fail) had 234 votes and John Leahy 149. Clare Claffey, the Social Democrat from Banagher was on 132. The best of the Independents at this stage was Michael Deegan on 192 votes.

  It's very early days yet and all to play for. However, John Clendennen and Sean Maher are two very strong candidates who are tallying pretty much as expected. Peter Ormond and John Leahy are also very strong candidates in Birr LEA, expected to do well, and will be looking forward to a surge in tallies as the day progresses.