Election 2024 in Cork — Mick Barry concedes as Labour wins last seat in North Central
Barry North Central In Has Anderson Chani Seat Cork Lost Picture: His Mick
Follow the Irish Examiner team in Cork as we bring live election results from the Rebel County.
- — Count complete. Elected: Micheál Martin (FF), Seamus McGrath (FF), Donnchadh O Laoghaire (SF), Jerry Buttimer (FG), Padraig Rice (SD);
- — Count complete. Elected: Padraig O’Sullivan (FF), Thomas Gould (SF), Ken O’Flynn (II), Colm Burke (FG), and Eoghan Kenny (Lab) were elected;
- — count complete. Elected: James O’Connor (FF), Pat Buckley (SF), Noel McCarthy (FG), Liam Quaide (SD);
- — Count Complete. Elected: Michael Collins (II), Holly Cairns (SD), Christopher O’Sullivan (FF);
- — Count Complete. Elected: Aindrias Moynihan (FF), Michael Moynihan (FF), John Paul O’Shea (FG);
- Follow the results from the count centres across the country here;
- Follow results as they happen live at our .
Scroll for results in your area
Mick Barry has conceded in the race for the final seat in , withdrawing his request for a recount. It means Labour's Eoghan Kenny has been deemed elected and has taken the final seat in Cork.
After examining 40,000 ballot papers, the gap between the two candidates had widened from 35 to 39.
A full recount of some 59,000 votes is underway in the battle for the fifth and final seat in Cork North Central.
Just 35 votes separate outgoing outgoing Solidarity TD Mick Barry and Labour Cllr Eogan Kenny.
The recount was requested just after lunchtime by after a random check of some 25% of the ballots this morning revealed 29 discrepancies.
“They broke towards us but only by the most marginal amount,” Mr Barry said.
“But 29 discrepancies in 25% - that’s quite a number of discrepancies. That could be 116 discrepancies overall, if that trend was to continue.” Returning officer Martin Harvey is now overseeing a full recount, with about 60 count staff.
The process could take up to three days.
The candidates can withdraw from the process at any stage, if they want.
A recount is underway in the Cork count centre in Nemo Rangers where the fight for the fifth and final seat in Cork North Central looks set to be a nailbiter.
After weeks of campaigning, countless kilometres of canvassing and hours of counting, just 35 votes separate the last two candidates standing - outgoing Solidarity People Before Profit TD Mick Barry and Labour’s Eoghan Kenny.
Count staff will first check the 300 or so stacks of votes, bundled into 50s, to ensure the bundles have been assigned to the correct candidate.
That process could take until lunchtime at which time a decision will be made on the next stage in the process, with a full recount of the more than 14,000 ballots cast for the two men a possibility.
Mr Barry called for and was granted a recount in the early hours of Monday morning following the outcome of the 17th count at 1am left him just 35 votes behind Kenny, who was deemed to be elected.
The Nemo Rangers count centre was empty bar a few dozen of the candidates’ supporters.
But you could cut the tension with a knife as their nip and tuck battle played out following the earlier election of Fine Gael Junior Minister Colm Burke and Independent Ireland's Ken O'Flynn to the third and fourth seats respectively.
After the distribution of Mr Burke’s surplus of 1,377, Mr Barry was on 7,251 and Mr Kenny was on 7,250.
There was a loud gasp in the room within seconds of the announcement when it was clear that just one vote separated them.
The distribution of FF Padraig O’Sullivan's surplus of 347 saw Mr Barry pick up 58 votes to leave him on 7,309 but Mr Kenny picked up 143 transfers to push him to 7,393 votes - 84 ahead of his rival.
The distribution of Mr O’Flynn’s surplus favoured Barry, as he picked up 117 votes to leave him on 7,426 but Kenny picked up 68 votes to leave him on 7,461 - just 35 votes ahead.
Kenny was deemed elected and his supporters cheered but Mr Harvey announced that Mr Barry had requested and had been granted a recount, and the count was then adjourned.
The 17th count in Cork North Central has resulted in a recount being called.
From Ken O'Flynn's surplus, Mick Barry received 117 votes to take him to 7,426.
Eoghan Kenny received 68 votes to take him to 7,461.
Returning Office Martin Harvey has agreed to Mick Barry’s request for a recount tomorrow — at 10am — for the fifth and final seat.
Following the announcement, Mr Barry told the Irish Examiner: "I have been standing in elections for 25 years, I've never in my life called for a recount before but I think when it is a Dáil seat at stake and the gap between the second candidate, myself, and the second candidate, in this case Councillor Kenny, is a mere 35 votes I think it is reasonable to request a recount and that is what I've done."
It has not yet been decided if it will be a full or a partial recount. Mr Barry has said that he will deliberate with his team and an answer will be provided to the Cork city returning officer, Martin Harvey, before 10am on Monday morning as this is when the recount must start.
Just moments after the recount was called, Mr Kenny said that he remained "absolutely ecstatic".
"I understand there is going to be a recount to take place but at the same time we are a number of votes ahead now at this stage so I am absolutely delighted and very proud of my team and the campaign that we led," he said.
With the count being so close, Mr Kenny said he knew a recount was a strong possibility.
"The recount will take place but ultimately this is a fantastic day," Mr Kenny said.
After count 16 in Cork North Central, Mick Barry received 58 votes to bring him to 7,309.
Eoghan Kenny added 143 votes to bring him to 7,393, meaning that Kenny has opened up a gap of 84 votes now.
Distribution of Ken O’Flynn’s surplus is now underway
Major drama in Cork North Central!
Things in Nemo Rangers could hardly be more tense as the battle for the final seat currently has the two hopefuls separated by a single vote.
After the surplus from Fine Gael's Colm Burke was distributed there was one vote between incumbent Solidarity-People Before Profit Mick Barry and Labour's Eoghan Kenny.
The counters are now going through Pádraig O'Sullivan's surplus now in the hopes that this nailbiter will end with this count.
- For a full recap of election day and counting as it happened, you can read more here.