LIVE BLOG: Mayo General Election 2024 - Day One
Votes being sealed and stored for the night at the TF by count staff. Counting resumes at 9am on Sunday morning.
Welcome to the Western People's live blog for this year's Mayo General Election.
We will keep you right up to date with all the latest news from Castlebar's TF Royal Theatre this weekend, while we will have extensive round-ups, interviews and full details in our print edition on Tuesday.
Enjoy the updates from day one (Saturday, November 30) below.
We are signing off for the night here at the TF. Here is the lay of the land at the moment. Rose Conway-Walsh, Alan Dillon and Dara Calleary all look on course to retain their seats while Keira Keogh is in the frame to take a seat.
The fifth seat looks like a real tossup between a number of candidates and will likely come down to the wire.
Rose CONWAY-WALSH, 11,417
Alan DILLON, 11,008
Dara CALLEARY, 9,079
Keira KEOGH 6,679
Mark DUFFY 6,458
Lisa CHAMBERS 6,316
Patsy O'BRIEN 6,131
Paul LAWLESS 5,156
Gerry MURRAY 3,942
Count 6 takes place tomorrow morning at 9am and will see the distribution of Stephen Kerr's 3,684 votes.
Count 5 is in and Martina Jennings' 3,362 votes have benefitted her party colleagues.
Dara CALLEARY +180, 9,079
Lisa CHAMBERS +305, 6,316
Rose CONWAY-WALSH +121, 11,417
Alan DILLON +1,100, 11,008
Mark DUFFY +251, 6,458
Keira KEOGH +712, 7,391
Stephen KERR +25, 3,684
Paul LAWLESS +239, 5,156
Gerry MURRAY +55, 3,942
Patsy O'BRIEN +575, 6,131
Stephen Kerr has been eliminated.
The count has now been adjourned until 9am tomorrow morning.
The next count is sure to be an interesting one as Martina Jennings 3,362 votes are distributed.
The big question is whether they go mostly in the direction of her fellow Fine Gael candidates Alan Dillon (who is still about 1,900 votes shy of the quota), Keira Keogh and Mark Duffy OR if they spread more geographically.
This would be to the benefit of south Mayo-based Independent candidate Patsy O'Brien, who is still very much in contention for a seat. Aontú's Paul Lawless also tallied well in the Claremorris area and could see gains from the former Mayo Person of the Year's elimination.
Here is the lay of the land after Count 4. Quota is 11,812.
Rose CONWAY-WALSH, 11,296 (516 votes to reach Quota)
Alan DILLON, 9,908
Dara CALLEARY, 8,899
Keira KEOGH 6,679
Mark DUFFY 6,207
Lisa CHAMBERS 6,011
Patsy O'BRIEN 5,556
Paul LAWLESS 4,917
Gerry MURRAY 3,887
Stephen KERR 3,659
Count 4 is in, and 1 of Fine Gael's 4 candidates have been eliminated.
Dara CALLEARY +115, 8,899
Lisa CHAMBERS +237, 6,011
Rose CONWAY-WALSH, +408, 11,296
Alan DILLON, +186, 9,908
Mark DUFFY, +48, 6,207
Martina JENNINGS +61, 3,632
Keira KEOGH +654, 6,679
Stephen KERR +205, 3,659
Paul LAWLESS +297, 4,917
Gerry MURRAY +89, 3,887
Patsy O'BRIEN +231, 5,556
No candidate has been elected; Martina Jennings has been eliminated and her 3,632 votes will now be distributed. Returning Officer Ann-Marie Courell has announced that Count 5 will be the last count of the night.
Here is how Mayo is looking IN ORDER after count 3
Rose CONWAY-WALSH, 10,888
Alan DILLON, 9,722
Dara CALLEARY, 8,784
Mark DUFFY 6,159
Keira KEOGH 6,025
Lisa CHAMBERS 5,774
Patsy O'BRIEN 5,325
Paul LAWLESS 4,620
Gerry MURRAY 3,798
Martina JENNINGS 3,571
Stephen KERR 3,454
Count 3 is in, the distribution of the 2,135 votes of Joe Daly and Boxty O'Conaill.
Dara CALLEARY +123, 8,784
Lisa CHAMBERS + 169, 5,774
Rose CONWAY-WALSH +712, 10,888
Alan DILLON +164, 9,722
Mark DUFFY +115, 6,159
Martina JENNINGS +72, 3,571
Keira KEOGH +183, 6,025
Stephen KERR +93, 3,454
Paul LAWLESS +96, 4,620
Chris MAXWELL +61, 2,616
Gerry MURRAY +182 3,798
Patsy O'BRIEN +57, 5,325
Chris Maxwell has now been eliminated and count 4 will be based on the distribution of his 2,616 votes.
Paul O'Malley here, taking over from Tom Byrne for the rest of the night. Eagerly awaiting the third count!
The is in!
11,812
Rose CONWAY-WALSH (SF) - 10,117 + 59 = 10,176
Alan DILLON (FG) - 9,517 + 41 = 9,558
Dara CALLEARY (FF) - 8,620 + 41 = 8,661
Mark DUFFY (FG) - 6,009 + 35 = 6,044
Keira KEOGH (FG) - 5,830 + 12 = 5,842
Lisa CHAMBERS (FF) - 5,584 + 21 = 5,605
Patsy O'BRIEN (NP) - 5,229 + 39 = 5,268
Paul LAWLESS (ATU) - 4,482 + 42 = 4,524
Gerry MURRAY (SF) - 3,600 + 16 = 3,616
Martina JENNINGS (FG) - 3,488 + 11 = 3,499
Stephen KERR (NP) - 3,289 + 72 = 3,361
Chris MAXWELL (IND - IRE) - 2,488 + 67 = 2,555
Joe DALY (S-PBP) - 1,199 + 7 = 1,206
Boxty O'CONAILL (GP) - 925 + 4 = 929
O'Conaill and Daly have now been eliminated - their votes will be distributed.
Poll-topper Rose Conway-Walsh spoke to us a short time ago...
The is in!
112,205
71,317
451
70,866
11,812
Rose CONWAY-WALSH (SF) - 10,117
Alan DILLON (FG) - 9,517
Dara CALLEARY (FF) - 8,620
Mark DUFFY (FG) - 6,009
Keira KEOGH (FG) - 5,830
Lisa CHAMBERS (FF) - 5,584
Patsy O'BRIEN (NP) - 5,229
Paul LAWLESS (ATU) - 4,482
Gerry MURRAY (SF) - 3,600
Martina JENNINGS (FG) - 3,488
Stephen KERR (NP) - 3,289
Chris MAXWELL (IND - IRE) - 2,488
Joe DALY (S-PBP) - 1,199
Boxty O'CONAILL (GP) - 925
Gerry LOFTUS (NP) - 423
Sean FORKIN (NP) - 66
Two have been excluded following the first count - Forkin and Loftus - their votes will now be distributed.
The Returning Officer has announced that the first count will take place in approximately 20 minutes. Stay tuned.
Following a brief fire alarm in the TF, colleague John Corless has informed me that the first count will be at approximately 6.45pm/7pm. Not long to go, hopefully.
Returning Officer Ann Marie Courell has announced that they are going to deal with the doubtful papers now...
No movement on the first count as of yet...
We'll keep you informed the minute we hear! - Tom
Speaking to the Western People, Karen Gallagher (Mayo Sinn Féin Director of Canvassing) spoke about Rose Conway-Walsh's strong performance in the tally figures.
A quick as we await a time for the first count.
Speaking to the Western People, Michael Smyth (Mayo Fianna Fáil Director of Elections) spoke about the day so far for his party.
Following each electoral tally vote, here are the final numbers:
Rose CONWAY-WALSH (SF) - 10,111
Alan DILLON (FG) - 9,431
Dara CALLEARY (FF) - 8,500
Mark DUFFY (FG) - 5,913
Keira KEOGH (FG) - 5,774
Lisa CHAMBERS (FF) - 5,496
Patsy O'BRIEN (NP) - 5,212
Paul LAWLESS (ATU) - 4,448
Gerry MURRAY (SF) - 3,609
Martina JENNINGS (FG) - 3,471
Stephen KERR (NP) - 3,261
Chris MAXWELL (IND - IRE) - 2,453
Joe DALY (S-PBP) - 1,179
Boxty O'CONAILL (GP) - 912
Gerry LOFTUS (NP) - 433
Sean FORKIN (NP) - 71
Patsy O'Brien (NP), Martina Jennings (FG) and Paul Lawless (ATU) are the top three from the Claremorris tallies.
O'Brien has 4292 votes, Jennings has 2514 and Lawless has 1858.
After a lively morning, I'm just popping out for lunch. I will have the latest Claremorris tallies when I get back - Tom
Speaking to the , former politician Jim Higgins gave us an early prediction.
With over 90% of the boxes opened from the Westport electoral area, here is a tally update:
Boxty O'CONAILL - 281
Dara CALLEARY - 278
Lisa CHAMBERS - 840
Rose CONWAY-WALSH - 1329
Joe DALY - 221
Alan DILLON - 586
Mark DUFFY - 57
Sean FORKAN - 7
Martina JENNINGS - 117
Keira KEOGH - 3814
Stephen KERR - 366
Paul LAWLESS - 345
Gerry LOFTUS - 24
Chris MAXWELL - 1546
Gerry MURRAY - 79
Patsy O'BRIEN - 78
With 28 boxes (93%) opened from the Swinford electoral area, here is the latest:
Boxty O'CONAILL - 88
Dara CALLEARY - 1218
Lisa CHAMBERS - 415
Rose CONWAY-WALSH - 586
Joe DALY - 127
Alan DILLON - 931
Mark DUFFY - 938
Sean FORKAN - 24
Martina JENNINGS - 354
Keira KEOGH - 107
Stephen KERR - 293
Paul LAWLESS - 724
Gerry LOFTUS - 24
Chris MAXWELL - 114
Gerry MURRAY - 2329
Patsy O'BRIEN - 107
With 34 of boxes opened from the Belmullet electoral area, here is how the tallies stand:
Boxty O'CONAILL - 107
Dara CALLEARY - 1055
Lisa CHAMBERS - 527
Rose CONWAY-WALSH - 2783
Joe DALY - 66
Alan DILLON - 339
Mark DUFFY - 115
Sean FORKAN - 4
Martina JENNINGS - 54
Keira KEOGH - 1061
Stephen KERR - 223
Paul LAWLESS - 178
Gerry LOFTUS - 38
Chris MAXWELL - 110
Gerry MURRAY - 33
Patsy O'BRIEN - 60
Conway-Walsh had a final 3033 tally vote in 2020.
Tallies are now coming in for the Swinford and Belmullet electoral areas.
Stay tuned...
Thanks to John Corless for capturing the scene at the TF this morning.
Tom Byrne here keeping you updated from the TF.
With 45 boxes (95.74% of the boxes) opened in Castlebar, here is the latest:
Boxty O'CONAILL - 203
Dara CALLEARY - 525
Lisa CHAMBERS - 2231
Rose CONWAY-WALSH - 2002
Joe DALY - 349
Alan DILLON - 5800
Mark DUFFY - 313
Sean FORKAN - 13
Martina JENNINGS - 301
Keira KEOGH - 420
Stephen KERR - 1099
Paul LAWLESS - 796
Gerry LOFTUS - 196
Chris MAXWELL - 225
Gerry MURRAY - 270
Patsy O'BRIEN - 620
Comparing these to 2020, Alan Dillon had 3145 votes in the final tally count for the Castlebar electoral area, while Rose Conway Walsh had 3093 and Lisa Chambers had 2642.
We are almost through the Castlebar tally boxes.
Here is how it stands with nearly 90% of the boxes opened.
Boxty O'CONAILL - 190
Dara CALLEARY - 462
Lisa CHAMBERS - 2081
Rose CONWAY-WALSH - 1841
Joe DALY - 333
Alan DILLON - 5367
Mark DUFFY - 301
Sean FORKAN - 13
Martina JENNINGS - 268
Keira KEOGH - 381
Stephen KERR - 1012
Paul LAWLESS - 706
Gerry LOFTUS - 189
Chris MAXWELL - 226
Gerry MURRAY - 223
Patsy O'BRIEN - 523
The final tallies for the Ballina electoral area are in:
Boxty O'CONAILL - 99
Dara CALLEARY - 4418
Lisa CHAMBERS - 163
Rose CONWAY-WALSH - 2149
Joe DALY - 175
Alan DILLON - 276
Mark DUFFY - 4290
Sean FORKAN - 12
Martina JENNINGS - 53
Keira KEOGH - 80
Stephen KERR - 898
Paul LAWLESS - 431
Gerry LOFTUS - 114
Chris MAXWELL - 173
Gerry MURRAY - 116
Patsy O'BRIEN - 28
After 39 of the 40 boxes opened in the Ballina electoral area, here is how it stands:
Boxty O'CONAILL - 94
Dara CALLEARY - 4329
Lisa CHAMBERS - 158
Rose CONWAY-WALSH - 2091
Joe DALY - 166
Alan DILLON - 272
Mark DUFFY - 4193
Sean FORKAN - 11
Martina JENNINGS - 52
Keira KEOGH - 76
Stephen KERR - 861
Paul LAWLESS - 420
Gerry LOFTUS - 114
Chris MAXWELL - 170
Gerry MURRAY - 113
Patsy O'BRIEN - 28
One box left to open.
In 2020, Calleary had a final tally of 5212 while Conway-Walsh had 2619. Mulherin had 3176.
The three island votes - Inisturk, Inishbiggle and Clare Island - are going to be opened, the returning officer has announced.
With 26 boxes opened in the Ballina electoral area, this is the current state of voting affairs:
Boxty O'CONAILL - 60
Dara CALLEARY - 2632
Lisa CHAMBERS - 90
Rose CONWAY-WALSH - 1278
Joe DALY - 104
Alan DILLON - 183
Mark DUFFY - 2563
Sean FORKAN - 8
Martina JENNINGS - 40
Keira KEOGH - 45
Stephen KERR - 561
Paul LAWLESS - 269
Gerry LOFTUS - 83
Chris MAXWELL - 120
Gerry MURRAY - 82
Patsy O'BRIEN - 20
With just 10 boxes opened in the Ballina electoral area, it is neck and neck between Duffy at 681 votes and Calleary at 621 votes.
The Culleens NS tallies are in.
Calleary is 122, Conway-Walsh is 57 and Duffy is 154.
Compared to 2020, Calleary was 143, Conway-Walsh was 66 and Mulherin was 100.
Another box is opened for the Ballina electoral area, this time from Lacken.
Calleary is 38, Rose Conway-Walsh (SF) is 45 and Duffy is 37.
The comparable figures in 2020 were Calleary 50, Conway-Walsh 32 and Mulherin 41.
The first tallies are coming in from the Ballina electoral area.
Mark Duffy (FG) polls strongly in Cooneal with 46 votes to Dara Calleary's (FF) 38.
In 2020, Dara Calleary took 52 votes in this box compared to 37 for Michelle Mulherin.
Returning Officer, Ann Marie Courell, has announced the opening of the ballot boxes will commence now!
50 boxes to begin - Ballina and Castlebar electoral areas first...
Read some of the opinion pieces and articles from this week's print edition to get you in the General Election mood:
We're live from the TF Royal Castlebar! Tom Byrne here to take you through the morning and day as General Election fever hits the county of Mayo.
16 candidates are battling for five seats in this constituency and we will keep you updated during every count and every detail.
We hope you enjoy the live blog throughout this weekend...
