General Election: Charles Ward takes a sizable jump in Donegal constituency

Charles Ward took a big step towards claiming a seat in the Dáil following a sizable chunk of the eliminated Mary T Sweeney's 3,376 votes.

There was a cheer at the Aura Centre in Letterkenny from the 100% Redress Party candidate's followers with the announcement of 1,318, which was just shy of 40 percent of Sweeney's distributed votes. 

It means that Ward is now on 9,784, with the quota at 12,771. The third seat still looks to be in the hands of Pat the Cope Gallagher, who is on 11,294 after a lift of 372 from Sweeney.

Also in the mix, most likely with Ward, are Charlie McConologue, who picked up 240 from Sweeney to move onto 8,771, and Thomas Pringle, who got 338 and now stands at 6,735.

Aontú candidate Sweeney has been eliminated on the 11th count in the Donegal constituency. It was claimed that Sweeney's team sought a recount but the 12th count following her narrow elimination continued. Sweeney had missed out by just three votes to stay in the race at John McNulty's hands. However, McNulty was then eliminated in the 12th round, with his 3,434 votes the next to be distributed.