Down South: The SDLP lost one of its three seats to Sinn Féin yesterday in Down South, traditionally one of the safest areas for the moderate nationalist party.
Sinn Féin's Ms Catríona Ruane, best known for leading the campaign to free the Colombia Three, and Mr Willie Clarke, a Co Down councillor, polled strongly to take two seats for Sinn Féin.
Despite the SDLP maintaining its position as the largest party in the constituency, its outgoing assemblyman, Mr Eamonn O'Neill, lost out on a seat by just over 60 votes. Sinn Féin's gains over the SDLP reflect the striking progress it made in the 2001 Westminster elections.
Ms Margaret Ritchie, a secretary for the retired SDLP poll-topper, Mr Eddie McGrady, took the final seat.
The SDLP's other outgoing Assembly member, Mr P.J. Bradley, took a seat earlier in the count having secured the second highest personal vote in South Down.
UUP former minister, Mr Dermot Nesbitt, retained his seat despite an early scare from his party rival, the anti-agreement candidate, Mr Jim Donaldson, father of Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, who polled strongly in some areas. The DUP took the first seat in the contest with Mr Jim Wells, the party's sole candidate, who topped the poll.
