Four out of Westmeath's twenty seats filled

Four candidates have secured seats on Westmeath County Council at the time of writing - 4 pm - and sixteen more seats remain to be filled.

The first elected was Fine Gael candidate, Tom Farrell, elected on the first count for Moate LEA, who is now beginning his third term on the council.

Veteran politician Mick Dollard, previously a member of The Labour Party but for a long time now Independent, was the first Mullingar LEA candidate elected, coming in on the first count.

Kevin "Boxer" Moran, Independent, got a phenomenal first round vote of 3,782 - almost twice the quota of 1,951 - and was elected on the first count for Athlone.

Vinny McCormack, FF, has been elected in Moate LEA, and is about to serve his second term.