Kelly and Fox in Recount for Last Seat

The atmosphere in the arklow count centre was subdued this morning as the recount for the last seat in the Wicklow constituency got underway at 10:00am. The recount was called by Nicky Kelly after the 9th count showed a lead of only 47 votes for Mildred Fox.

A mixture of supporters of both Kelly and Fox quietly watched the recount in a partially empty count centre. Returning

The Recount in the Arklow Count Centre

Officer Breda Allen estimated that a result would be available in the early afternoon. She pointed out that a Wicklow recount in the 1997 election took three and a half hours but said that counting would break for lunch at 1:30pm in any event.

While some commentators are calling the election for Fox, kelly is still well in with a chance. Joe Jacob has a surplus of 46 votes that have yet to be distributed and previous transfer patterns would indicate that more will wil go to Kelly than to Fox. This will likely reduce the gap between the two candidates.

Yesterday's count was delayed while well over 1,000 questionable ballot papers were adjudicated on by Breda Allen in the present of representatives of the candidates. Breda Allen will review these ballot papers as part of today's recount, however without input from the candidates.

Poll-topper Dick Roche was also at the count this morning, and Deputy Labour leader Brendan Howlin is expected to arrive shortly in support of Kelly. Barring unexpected developments the results of the recount should be clear by mid-afternoon.

Dick Roche (FF), Joe Jacob (FF), Liz Mcmanus (Lab), and Billy Timmins (FG) have all been elected.