Elections 2024: Second MEP seat could be filled by Thursday afternoon

Transfers have put Sinn Fein’s Kathleen Funchion in contention to be elected as one of Ireland’s 14 MEPs.

Over 60% of Limerick Senator Paul Gavan's transfers went to his party running mate, propelling her into second place with 76,697 votes.

The huge transfer rate has positioned the Carlow-Kilkenny TD to take one of the five seats in the Ireland South constituency, though political commentators have said transfers make it “impossible” to predict.

Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher is on 106,051 and is creeping closer to the quota as of the 16th count this Thursday morning, June 13.

He could be elected to the second of five MEP seats in the Ireland South constituency by this afternoon.

In the hunt behind Ms Funchion are Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara (75,570 votes),outgoing MEP Mick Wallace (67,146), and Fianna Fail’s Cynthia Ni Mhurchu (65,361).

There is an outside chance for outgoing Green Party MEP Grace O’Sullivan (63,335), though it looks increasingly unlikely.

Observers at the count centre will watch closely whether other candidates can attract enough transfers to leap ahead.

Ms O’Sullivan said “I’m here with the swansong” at the Cork count centre as transfers saw the former Greenpeace activist fall behind.

She added: “You can see it’s definitely slipping away now but I’ve been realistic all the time from the get-go when the preference votes were being put on the tables and I acknowledged that it was substantially down on my 2019 vote.”

She said that all three parties in the coalition Government are responsible for public services, climate, health and water quality.

Ms O’Sullivan added: “That’s why I’m concerned about Ireland. Without the strong voices in Europe, without Ciaran Cuffe and I, we were hard-working and we were strong, we were active on legislation and without the Irish Greens at the table, we will lose ground in terms of the environmental reach.”

The “meticulous” count continued in Cork on Wednesday to fill four of the five seats for the Ireland South constituency, with all five seats left to be filled in Midlands-Northwest.

Fine Gael’s Sean Kelly was elected on the first count on Monday night, leaving 22 candidates vying for four seats in the 10-county constituency.

Returning officer Martin Harvey said he is hopeful they will have a final result by mid afternoon on Thursday, but said the “significant” transfer from Mr Gavan to Ms Funchion showed how one count can dramatically change standings.