Flanagan and Walsh move closer to sealing MEP roles

OUTGOING Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan and Mayo Fine Gael newcomer Maria Walsh has moved a step closer to winning seats in the European Parliament as representatives of the Midlands North West constituency.

They both picked up transfers in excess of 15,000 in the distribution of eliminated Green Party candidate Saoirse McHugh's votes.

With three seats to be filled, Flanagan consolidated his position in second place with 112,760 votes while Walsh has leapfrogged outgoing Sinn Fèin MEP Matt Carthy into third place on 96,163.

Carthy, however, is still on course to retain his seat as he holds a lead of 21,473 over independent candidate Peter Casey, who finished second in last year's Presidential election.

Fianna Fàil TD Brendan Smith has been eliminated and the distribution of his 68,677 votes during the 13th count are expected to favour Carthy more than Casey.