Aontú candidate eliminated in the Ballyjamesduff MD race

Aontú’s Grainne McPhillips has been eliminated from the race in the Ballyjamesduff Electoral area following the distribution of 63 surplus votes from Cllr Trevor Smith (FG).

He was elected to the second seat on the municipal district in the early hours of this morning.

McPhillips’ elimination is partly due to the emergence of Lester Gordon (IP) and his steady progress through the counts as well as Fianna Fáil newcomer Nathan Galligan’s entry into the local political arena.

From the intiatal tallies, she held an outside chance of getting elected and as the counts progressed it was clear that she had a battle on her hands to remain in contention.

Her votes - 821 - will now be distributed among the remaining candidates who include Cllr Winston Bennett (FG) (1,472); Cllr Philip Brady (1,321); Noel Connell (SF) (1,495); Nathan Galligan (FF), (851) and Lester Gordon (1,074).

Two seats have been filled in this six-seater municipal district so far.