General Election: First round tally shows Sinn Féin picked up 42 percent in Donegal

Pearse Doherty has picked up almost a quarter of the first preference votes in the completed tally at the Donegal constituency general election count.

Sinn Féin’s Doherty has amassed 19,213 to claim 24.71 per cent, of the 77,747, which will see him comfortably make a quota of 12,959.

It looks as though Doherty will be the only one to make the quota for now, with Pat the Cope Gallagher of Fianna Fáil second in the running, amassing 10,262 (13.2 per cent).

In the five-seater, Padraig MacLochlainn, also Sinn Féin; with Charlie McConalogue of Fianna Fáil and Charles Ward, 100 Percent Redress Party, currently making up the third, fourth and fifth positions.

MacLochlainn has 9,879 (12.71 per cent), Charlie McConalogue 8,100 (10.42 per cent) and Ward has 6,857 (8.82 per cent).

With lots still to play for, Thomas Pringle, Independent, is still right in the mix and capable of benefitting from transfers. Pringle has 5,344 (6.87 per cent).

At the same time, Sinn Féin’s Noel Jordan is eighth in the running and sandwiched between two Fine Gael candidates - Nikki Bradley and John McNulty. Marty T Sweeney from Aontu is 10th in the standings.

Sinn Féin have picked up 42 per cent of the Donegal vote, 32,474, similar to they did in 2020 (34,713 for 45 per cent). Fianna Fáil have increased its vote from 15,585 four years ago to 18,659 - 21 to 24 per cent. Fine Gael, with two new candidates in the wake of Joe McHugh stepping aside, has seen a drop from 10,647 to 7,045, 14 percent to 9.