LIVE UPDATES DAY 2: Longford/Westmeath general election count

4.00

Thanks very much to all our readers who tuned in to our election coverage across the weekend. There will be plenty of analysis, interviews, tallies, photos and much more inside this week's edition of the Westmeath Examiner in stores from Tuesday morning.

After a marathon count with many highs and lows here are the five TD's for Longford/Westmeath for the next Dáil: Peter Burke (FG), Sorca Clarke (SF), Kevin 'Boxer' Moran (IND), Robert Troy (FF) and Micheál Carrigy (FG).

3.45

That's a wrap for the general election 2024 in Longford/Westmeath with Robert Troy (FF) and Micheál Carrigy taking the final two seats.

3.43

We are done! Robert Troy and Senator Micheál Carrigy have been elected on the 15th count after Paul Hogan's 4,484 votes were redistributed.

Carrigy (+291, 9208) Elected without reaching the quota

Flaherty (+189, 6563)

Troy (+804, 10331) 16 votes over the quota

2.10

"We're back. Athlone has a TD again!" could be heard loud and clear around the count centre in the early hours of this morning, as former minister Kevin Boxer Moran (IND) is elected.

2.00

Count 14

'We're back, Athlone has a TD!' These were the words from an ecstatic Boxer Moran after he reached the quota on Count 14 at around 1.40am when Deputy Sorca Clarke's votes were redistributed.

It is expected that Deputy Robert Troy will reach the quota when Cllr Paul Hogan's votes are redistributed. Senator Micheál Carrigy is expected to be elected without reaching the quota.

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +79, 8917

Flaherty Joe (FF) +73, 6374

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +179, 4484 (Eliminated)

Moran Kevin 'Boxer' (Ind) +195, 10450 (60)

Troy Robert (FF) +37, 9527

1.30

We have now entered the early hours of Monday morning and here is how things stand as we await the next count.

12.55

12.50

Count 13

Sorca Clarke has been re-elected after getting an incredible 2,353 (almost 70%) of party colleague Barry Campion's 2,987 redistributed votes. Deputy Clarke's surplus of 563 votes have now to be redistributed. Boxer is 60 away from reaching the quota. We ain't going anywhere for a while....

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +158, 8838

Clarke Sorca (SF) +2353, 10878

Flaherty Joe (FF) +89, 4305

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +89, 4305

Moran Kevin 'Boxer' (Ind) +91, 10255 (60)

Troy Robert (FF) +52, 9490

23.20

The count is coming close to an end here in Athlone. Boxer Moran looks set to be elected on the next count as he is only 151 votes off the quota. Here is how the candidates stand following the twelfth count.

23.09

Count 12

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran (+625, 10164) is only 151 votes from being elected after Gerry Warnock's votes were distributed in the 12th count. Surely he will reach the promised land after the next count, which will see Sinn Féin candidate Barry Campion's 2987 votes distributed. Sorca Clarke is also sure to do very well.

Campion Barry (SF) +204, 2987 (Eliminated)

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +618, 8680

Clarke Sorca (SF) +210, 8525

Flaherty Joe (FF) +519, 6212

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +183, 4216

Moran Kevin 'Boxer' (Ind) +625, 10164 151

Troy Robert (FF) +78, 9438

22.02

Count 11

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran (+470, 9539) and Deputy Robert Troy (+293, 9360) are getting closer to the quota of 10,315 after Laura O'Neill's votes were redistributed. With the 2,502 votes from Independent candidate Gerry Warnock from Longford being distributed in the next count, it's unlikely that any candidate will be elected. We live in hope...

Campion Barry (SF) +166, 2783

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +117, 8062

Clarke Sorca (SF) +322, 8315

Flaherty Joe (FF) +88, 5693

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +496, 4033

Moran Kevin 'Boxer' (Ind) +470, 9539

Troy Robert (FF) +293, 9360

Warnock Gerry (Ind) +198, 2700 (Eliminated)

22:00

Here is the standings after the eleventh count.

21:00

Fianna Fáil's elected representatives and supporters are out in force this evening in anticipation of Robert Troy being re-elected.

20.41

The picture is starting to become clearer here in Athlone following the tenth count.

20.36

20.30

Count 10

As expected Sorca Clarke (+421) and Robert Troy (+414) were the biggest beneficiaries of the redistribution of Fidelma Bennet's 2,300 votes.

It is safe to say that there will be no surprises here tonight and the final four seats will go to Robert Troy (FF), Boxer Moran (Ind), Sorca Clarke (SF) and Micheál Carrigy (FG). The only thing that is tricky to call is what order they will be elected in.

Hogan, Troy and Clarke should get the lion's share of Laura O'Neill's votes.

Campion Barry (SF) +140, 2667

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +266, 7945

Clarke Sorca (SF) +421, 7993

Flaherty Joe (FF) +98, 5605

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +109, 3537

Moran Kevin 'Boxer' (Ind) +257, 9069

O'Neill Laura (Aontú) +110, 2472 (Eliminated)

Troy Robert (FF) +414, 9067

Warnock (Ind) +70, 2502

19.18

The latest leader board after count nine.

19.11

Count 9

'Boxer' Moran (+298, 8812 votes) is edging closer to the quota of 10,315, as is Robert Troy (+70, 8653) following the redistribution of Louise Heavin's 1,250 votes. Labour's Fidelma Bennett (2300) was eliminated on this count, which should favour her fellow Mullingar candidates Troy and Sorca Clarke of Sinn Féin.

Fidelma Bennett (Lab) +307, 2,300 (Eliminated)

Campion Barry (SF) +38, 2527

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +49, 7679

Clarke Sorca (SF) +175, 7572

Flaherty Joe (FF) +17, 5507

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +92, 3428

Moran Kevin 'Boxer' (Ind) +298, 8812

O'Neill Laura (Aontú) +63, 2,362

Troy Robert (FF) +70, 8653

Warnock (Ind) +43, 2423

18.17

Count 8

Twenty candidates have become 10 following the eighth count and the elimination of Louise Heavin. PBP Dave Smyth's 1047 votes were distributed on this count. The main beneficiaries were Sorca Clarke (+271) and Fidelma Bennett (+180).

Fidelma Bennett (Lab) +180, 1993

Campion Barry (SF) +105, 2489

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +26, 7630

Clarke Sorca (SF) +271, 7397

Flaherty Joe (FF) +32, 5490

Heavin Louise (Ind) +150, 1250

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +46, 3336

Moran Kevin 'Boxer' (Ind) +58, 8514

O'Neill Laura (Aontú) +51, 2299

Troy Robert (FF) +34, 8583

Warnock (Ind) +42, 2389

Louise Heavin has been eliminated. Her 1,250 votes will now distributed among the remaining 10 candidates.

18.10

The eighth count has just been announced. Louise Heavin has been eliminated with 1,250 votes.

17.25

The latest standings after count seven.

17.16

Count 7

Ireland First candidate Margaret Maguire's vote has been distributed. The main beneficiaries were Aontú's Laura O'Neill (+242) and Independent Ireland's Paul Hogan (+239).

We are down to 11 candidates now.

Fidelma Bennett (Lab) +13, 1813

Campion Barry (SF) +10, 2384

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +7, 7604

Clarke Sorca (SF) +43, 7126

Flaherty Joe (FF) +15, 5458

Heavin Louise (Ind) +41, 1100

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +239, 3290

Moran Kevin 'Boxer' (Ind) +98, 8456

O'Neill Laura (Aontú) +242, 2248

Smyth Dave (PBP) +31, 1047 (Eliminated)

Troy Robert (FF) +25, 8549

Warnock (Ind) 53, 2347

Smyth has been eliminated. His 1047 votes will be distributed in the next count.

16.22

Here is the leader board of how the candidates stand after the sixth count.

16.17

Count 6

Here is how Tanya Cannon's 658 votes were distributed.

Fidelma Bennett (Lab) +23, 1800

Campion Barry (SF) +4, 2374

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +346, 7597

Clarke Sorca (SF) +11, 7083

Flaherty Joe (FF) +14, 5443

Heavin Louise (Ind) +28, 1059

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +21, 3051

Maguire Margaret (Ireland First) 1, 884

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran (Ind) +121, 8358

O'Neill Laura (Aontú) +7, 2006

Smyth Dave (PBP) +4, 1016

Troy Robert (FF) +43, 8524

Warnock (Ind) 6, 2294

Mary Maguire has been eliminated. Her 884 votes will be distributed in the next count.

15.35

Here is how the Dympna Cunniffe's votes were redistributed.

Count 5

Fidelma Bennett (Lab) +11, 1777

Campion Barry (Sinn Féin) +6, 2370

Cannon Tanya (FG) +32, 658 (Eliminated)

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +13, 7251

Clarke Sorca (SF) +13, 7072

Flaherty Joe (FF) +173, 5429

Heavin Louise (Ind) +20, 1031

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +37, 3030

Maguire Margaret (Ireland First) 0, 883

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran (Ind) +99, 8237

O'Neill Laura (Aontú) +06, 1999

Smyth Dave (PBP) +3, 1012

Troy Robert (FF) +110, 8481

Warnock (Ind) 0, 2288

Tanya Cannon has been eliminated. Her 658 votes will be redistributed.

15.25

The fifth count has now been announced and has seen the distribution of Dympna Cunnife's 546 votes. Tanya Cannon (FG) has now been eliminated and her 658 votes will now be distributed.

15.02

Another TD elected this week who has Westmeath connections is Brian Brennan, elected for Fine Gael in Wexford-Wicklow.

Brian, who was on his first run in a Dáil election, actually topped the poll, bringing pride to those in the Dysart area, who recall that Brian was born in their parish.

Among those who remember the family is Liz Gavigan, who tells us that Brian was born in what was Manny's pub and grocery, now being renovated by the Murphy family.

The Brennans moved from Dysart to Gorey in 1970, and Brian is now a highly successful businessman. He succeeded his father as boss of The 64 pub and restaurant in Gorey. He later went on to operate the Arklow Bay Hotel and the Brennan Hotel Group. He is founder of the Ireland-Sri Lanka Orphanage Fund, and ran with a view to helping local businesses and improving the care of older people and the lives of those with disabilities.

14.30

The results of the fourth count have just been announced. Fianna Fail's Dympna Cunniffe has been eliminated and her votes are being redistributed.

Fidelma Bennett (Lab) +147, 1766

Campion Barry (Sinn Féin) +7, 2364

Cannon Tanya (FG) +14, 626

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +36, 7238

Clarke Sorca (SF) +33, 7059

Cunniffe Dympna (FF) +11, 546 (Eliminated)

Flaherty Joe (FF) +12, 5256

Heavin Louise (Ind) +59, 1011

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +5, 2993

Maguire Margaret (Ireland First) +5, 883

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran (Ind) +26, 8138

O'Neill Laura (Aontú) +22, 1993

Smyth Dave (PBP) +41, 1009

Troy Robert (FF) +37, 8371

Warnock (Ind) +7, 2288

Cunniffe eliminated. Her vote of 546 will now be redistributed.

14.00

Counting staff discovered a wedding ring among the voting papers when they opened a ballot box yesterday morning when counting began in TUS Athlone.

Read about it here

13.30

Here are the figures from the third count.

Fidelma Bennett (Lab) +12, 1619

Campion Barry (SF) +10, 2357

Cannon Tanya (FG) +4, 612

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +5, 7202

Clarke Sorca (SF) +10, 7026

Cunniffe Dympna (FF) +2, 535

Flaherty Joe (FF) +5, 5244

Heavin Louise (Ind) +32, 952

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +18, 2988

Maguire Margaret (Ireland First) +12, 878

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran (Ind) +23, 8112

Okeke Carol (Greens) +6, 474 (Eliminated)

O'Neill Laura (Aontú) +35, 1971

Smyth Dave (PBP) +5, 968

Troy Robert (FF) +18, 8334

Warnock (Ind) +17, 2281

Non transferable votes: 16

Okeke eliminated. Her 474 will now be redistributed.

13.20

The third count has been announced following the distribution of Bradley (IND), Keenan (IND) and Jackson's (IND) votes. No major changes with all the candidates on very similar totals to the previous count.

12.10

This is how the candidates have faired after the distribution of Peter Burke's surplus following the announcement of the second count. As Paul Bradley (IND), Charlotte Keenan (IND) and Donal Jackson (IND) have the lowest votes, they have been eliminated and their votes will now be distributed.

12.00

News Flash! The second count came 20 minutes quicker than anticipated.

Minister Peter Burke's surplus of 549 was redistributed. As expected, Robert Troy (+200, 8316 votes) and Senator Michéal Carrigy (+107, 7197) were the main beneficiaries.

The three candidates with the lowest votes: Paul Bradley, Charlotte Keenan and Donal Jackson have been eliminated and their votes are now being distributed.

Fidelma Bennett (Lab) +32, 1606

Bradley Paul (Ind) +1, 116 (Eliminated)

Campion Barry (Sinn Féin) +3, 2347

Carrigy Micheál (FG) +107, 7197

Clarke Sorca (SF) +18, 7016

Cunniffe Dympna (FF) +5, 533

Flaherty Joe (FF) +8, 5239

Heavin Louise (Ind) +5, 920

Hogan Paul (Independent Ireland) +14, 2970

Jackson Donal (Ind) 0, 48 (Eliminated)

Keenan Charlotte (Ind) +1, 67 (Eliminated)

Maguire Margaret (Ireland First) +2, 866

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran (Ind) +33, 8,089

Okeke Carol (Greens) +4, 468

O'Neill Laura (Aontú) +10, 1936

Smyth Dave (PBP) +3, 963

Troy Robert (FF) =200, 8316

Warnock (Ind) +2, 2264

Non transferable votes: 0

11.23

The second count is (hopefully) coming at around 12pm.

10.30

The counting of Peter Burke's surplus is well underway here in the John McCormack hall at TUS Athlone which began at 9am this morning.

8.06

Good morning folks, it was a LONG day at the election count in TUS Athlone yesterday with the count starting at 9am and finishing after 10pm.

With four of the five seats yet to be filled, we are probably in for another long day today. Fear not, the Westmeath Examiner's team at the count will keep you up to date with all of the action as it happens.

If you want to recap on what happened yesterday, click here.

The main talking point was the poll topping performance by Minister Peter Burke. We caught up with him yesterday evening.

We also chatted to Fianna Fáil's Robert Troy, who looks as if he has retained his seat and with Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, who is returning to national politics.