A sixteenth count is underway in the Donegal constituency.
It was widely expect that Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher, Charlie McConalogue and Charles Ward were going to be deemed elected following the fourteenth count.
However, ‘The Cope’ was the only candidate deemed elected as he exceeded the quota with 13,660 votes.
That left three remaining candidates in McConalogue, Ward and outgoing TD Thomas Pringle.
Owing to the fact that Gallagher’s surplus of 889 votes will very likely benefit McConalogue and Ward, many felt that was the count over.
Geraldine O’Connor, returning officer for the constituency, declared that she will distribute the 889 votes as they are the only available surplus and fulfils the following conditions: equals/ exceeds the difference between the two lowest candidates.
