Smith and Fay elected on first count

Proceeding in Cavan-Monaghan adjourned until tomorrow.

In Cavan-Belturbet Fianna Fáil's Áine Smith and Independent Brendan Fay have been elected in the first count in Cavan-Belturbet MD where the quota was 1,431. The total valid poll was 10,010, and there were 120 spoiled votes.

Áine Smith, daughter of the late sitting councillor Séan Smith, and niece to Brendan Smith TD, has topped the poll in the area with 1,763.

Her surplus of 332 will be divided tomorrow after returning officer, Lynda McGavigan, adjourned the count.

A secondary teacher at St Mogue's College in Bawnboy, and previously at Loreto College in Cavan Town, Smith was co-opted onto the seat vacated by her late father back in March last year.

She was elected onto the board of Cavan-Monaghan ETB, and also served as Chair of the Cavan-Belturbet MD area during her spell in the chamber.

Also voted in on the first count was Independent Brendan Fay, who did better than in 2019 with 1,627 first preferences coming his way.

All attentions will turn to the six candidates still in with a chance of claiming one of the final four seats remaining.