BREAKING: 'Ming' Flanagan is first MEP elected in Midlands North West

Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan is the first MEP to be elected in the Midlands North West constituency.

It had been widely expected that the Independent would surpass the quota of 113,325 following the distribution of Peadar Tóibín’s votes and with a transfer of 8,221, this is how it played out.

Mayo senator Lisa Chambers of Fianna Fáil is also out of contention as Flanagan’s surplus of around 5,400 is not enough to bring her back into contention. The Castlebar woman received 62,818 votes.

Flanagan should soon be followed by Nina Carberry and Maria Walsh of Fine Gael who both have over 90,000 votes. Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil) has over 89,000 votes while Independent Ireland candidate Ciaran Mullooly has moved ahead of Michelle Gildernew (Sinn Féin) once again.

Mullooly received a transfer of 10,093 from Tóibín bringing him to 83,194 votes while Gildernew only received 4,603, bringing her to 79,398. Gildernew had transferred well from her eliminated colleague Chris MacManus but has fallen behind once more.

The 20th count is next and will see the distribution of Flanagan’s surplus and Chambers’ votes.