‘I don’t particularly like the moustache and the hat is way too large'

Aontú’s Tinko Tinev responds as a number of his campaign posters were vandalised last night as the first count came to a close.

At least four posters on the Drumalee Manor road between The Orchard Bar and St Patrick’s College, belonging to Tinko, have been painted with black and blue paint.

Responding to the vandalism, Tinko said:

“People trying to polarise society and antagonise will come out insulting and decorate as an expression of dissatisfaction and anger.”

On a lighter note, commenting on one poster’s markings, Tinko joked, “I don’t particularly like the moustache and the hat is way too large.”

Count number three in the Cavan-Belturbet municipal district saw the Aontú candidate eliminated at + 14 - 244 votes. The quota is 1,431 votes.

I am absolutely delighted with my campaign and the results," Tinko said.

"I consider it a great honour to have been selected as a worthy candidate by many Irish people, and members of the diverse migrant community, who highly appreciate my local volunteer work, and my nomination by the National Aontu committee."

He said those who have given Aontu and himself their first preference votes are those, whom he "really represents."

"I want to thank everyone who gave first preference vote for myself and Aontu," he said.