Familiar faces returned in Swinford

THERE were no surprises in the Swinford electoral area, with all four outgoing councillors re-elected after the final count concluded shortly after 7.30 p.m., writes Claire McNamara.

Sinn Féin's Gerry Murray is the headline maker after topping the poll with 1,896 first preference votes, comfortably exceeding the quota 1,624, which had already been widely anticipated.

The new Swinford electoral area, with an electorate of 14,276, had eight candidates vying for four seats, but early tallies suggested that the current four faces were on course to be returned.

Michael Smyth (Fianna Fáil) was the next candidate home, failing to make the quota by three votes in the first count but comfortably making it on the second.

Both Sean Forkin (Ind) and Tommy Horan (Aontú) were eliminated after the second count, with their votes transferred to the remaining three candidates.

On the third and final count, Councillor John Caulfield (Fianna Fáil) was elected gaining 265 votes on transfers from both Forkin and Horan.

Councillor Neil Cruise (Fine Gael) was also elected on the third count without reaching the quota. He was deemed elected as he had more votes than newcomer Tom Lavin (Fine Gael), who had displayed ambition and focus throughout the campaign.

Electorate: 14,276. Total poll: 8,297. Spoiled ballot papers: 129. Valid poll: 8,168. Number of seats: 4. Quota: 1,634.