Tipperary North: story of the count

Alan Kelly and Ryan O’Meara were elected in Tipperary North. The former minister and Labour Party leader Kelly was elected after he passed the quota, while the 29-year-old Fianna Fail newcomer O’Meara was elected despite not reaching it.

However, by the end of the tenth count, he had the next highest number of votes after Kelly and so won the third and final seat.

Kelly repeatedly broke down in tears both before and after the result - which he had earlier dedicated to his father Tom who is seriously ill in hospital. He struggled to compose himself as he was congratulated by well-wishers, and by members of his family who were also in tears.

The count had been delayed by a call for a full recount after the ninth count but this was withdrawn. The full recount had been called after two partial rechecks of the distribution of votes between independent councillor Jim Ryan and Fianna Fáil’s Michael Smith.

Mr Ryan was not satisfied with the results of the rechecks - which showed there were either one or two votes between him and Tipperary County Council councillor Smith.

As a result, he called for and was granted a full recount, which was due to begin in the Thurles count centre on Monday at 11am. But after a few hours, and minor changes to the ninth count, Cllr Smith conceded defeat.

As none of the remaining candidates, him, Kelly, O’Meara and Smith had reached the quota, and he had the lowest number of votes, he accepted he was to be eliminated on the ninth count.

Afterwards he said: “I congratulate all three candidates elected.

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“I am heartened my vote is going to secure the vote for Fianna Fáil and ensure we have a TD in Tipperary.”

Michael Lowry was the first to be elected to the new three-seat constituency. He topped the poll and was elected on the first count, which was announced on Saturday evening. He said he plans to talk to whoever is likely to form the next government to discuss whether or not they could rely on his support.

Deputy Kelly is also in favour of Labour being involved in talks. He suggested his party should help form the next government but bring it down if certain “red line” issues are not met. The party should, he said, not be scared of going into government, regardless of how many times smaller parties take a “hit” for working alongside bigger ones.

“I know the whole criticism about small parties getting hit when they go into government,” he said. “But some party is going to change that someday, and I believe that should be us.

“I think we should be very firm on what we want, the red lines, and if they’re not met, the government would fall. Simple as that.”