Maria Walsh opens up gap on Peter Casey in election joust

MAYO Fine Gael candidate Maria Walsh has made a decisive move in her bid to be elected an MEP for the first time.

In fourth position in the four seat Midlands North West constituency battle, she has opened up the gap between herself and high-profile independent candidate Peter Casey in fifth place by a margin of 12,688.

The former Rose of Tralee from Shrule received a total of 6,036 from her elected party colleague, Mairead McGuinness, to consolidate her position after the second count.

Walsh is behind Luke Ming Flanagan (Ind) in second place on 86,906 and Matt Carthy (SF) in third spot on 78,487.

Achill-based Green Party candidate Saoirse McHugh remains in contention for a seat.

She is now on 52,731 but her hopes appear to be diminishing.