Maria Walsh has Mayo's best chance of success in Euro election - poll

Former RTÉ News correspondent Ciarán Mullooly, running for Independent Ireland, and outgoing Independent MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan are on course to win seats in next month's European Parliament elections in the midlands north west constituency.

That's according to a the findings of a private poll made available to the Irish Independent.

The newspaper reported: "Both are in position to win seats.

"Aontú TD Peadar Tóibín is also firmly in the race.

"Sinn Féin will also take a seat, with sitting MEP Chris MacManus polling slightly better than Westminster MP Michelle Gildernew.

"However, the party will be in contention for a second seat if its support solidifies.

"Fianna Fáil’s tactic of running three candidates has backfired.

"Barry Cowen is polling way ahead of Lisa Chambers and Niall Blaney.

"But there is a danger the party’s vote is being split too much, which could lead to Deputy Cowen getting overtaken.

"And that could benefit Fine Gael. Celebrity candidate Nina Carberry is polling just ahead of sitting MEP Maria Walsh, with an outside shot of a second seat.

"Fine Gael have an outside chance of two. A freak result could happen and a lot of things would have to go right, but it would be a freak.

"Fianna Fáil is not dividing the constituency, so Mr. Cowen will be free to campaign across the coasts.

"Party supporters are likely to swing in behind him once it’s obvious he is the “real” party candidate.

"No candidates are currently getting elected on the first count, with anything up to eight coming in around the half-a-quota mark."

The poll listed Ciaran Mullooly and Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan as sold contenders while Peadar Tóibín, Nina Carberry, Maria Walsh, Chris MacManus, Michelle Gildernew and Barry Cowen and gathering pace in their efforts to be elected.