Ming maintains his lead in the Midlands North-West

Social Democrats candidate Rory Hearne and Independent John Waters have been eliminated on the 12th and 11th counts in the Midlands North-West constituency.

Sitting MEPs Luke Ming Flanagan (Ind) and Maria Walsh (FG) look likely to keep their seats with Barry Cown (FF) and Nina Carberry (FG) polling strongly as is Independent Ireland candidate Ciaran Mullooly. Sinn Féin has said it will lose its seat in the constituency.

No candidates have been elected following ten counts. Independent Luke 'Ming' Flanagan maintains his lead over the rest of the field and has topped the 80,000 vote mark but is still short of the 113,325 quota, meaning it is looking like late tomorrow, or early on Friday, before proceedings will reach a conclusion.