There were heated exchanges at the continuing general election count in Wicklow yesterday as efforts went on to determine the ownership of the last seat in the 29th Dáil.
Almost one week after polling day, just five votes separated Labour's Mr Nicky Kelly and outgoing Independent, TD, Ms Mildred Fox, for the final seat in the five-seater constituency.
As tensions increased yesterday Mr Kelly could be heard taking exception to the Fianna Fáil legal team, which was taking a keen interest in scrutinising each vote.
In a exchange with the returning officer, Ms Breda Allen, Mr Kelly said it was up to her "to solve the problem. We have half the Four Courts in here," he said.
The returning Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Mr Billy Timmins, could also be heard saying, "It's all a farce anyway."
Following these exchanges Ms Allen who had earlier restricted access to the hall to the candidates and their legal advisers, further restricted access to two advisers per candidate. She also declared a break to allow parties to calm down.
Officially, Fianna Fáil said its legal team which included three barristers was only there to ensure proper procedure. But party sources acknowledged privately that they had a keen interest in the fortunes of Ms Fox, who was seen as a likely supporter of a possible Fianna Fáil government.
Mr Kelly, on the other hand, would support the Opposition.
All parties were in agreement on the procedures adopted since the returning officer announced that she was widening last Sunday's re-check to transform it into a complete recount. With Nicky Kelly just five votes behind Ms Fox, Labour was initially confident that the recount could secure it a seat.
However, there was confusion when around lunchtime rumours began circulating that the gap between the candidates had widened to 30 votes.
Mr Kelly and his advisers insisted their figures showed the gap to be just two votes. Throughout the afternoon, Ms Fox remained anxiously watching the proceedings, taking part in huddled conversations but not involved in any any of the sharp exchanges.
The count was also visited by Mr Brendan Howlin, Labour's deputy leader, and Mr Seán Sherwin, a high-ranking official with Fianna Fáil.
