Bobby Molloy,
Stepping down in Galway West
A new poll carried out in Galway West has shown that Fianna Fáil may be the main beneficiary of Bobby Molloy's decision to retire from politics. The poll shows Fianna Fáil picking up three seats, with Labour and Fine Gael taking the other two.
The IMS poll of 400 people carried out for Prime Time and the Irish Independent shows the Progressive Democrats unlikely to retain their seat in Galway West.
Fianna Fáil's Margaret Cox, on 8% of the first-preference vote, looks likely to pick up that seat on transfers from her running mates, Frank Fahey and Eamon O Cuiv. They are expected to be elected on the first count, with the poll showing 22% and 21% for them respectively.
Labour's Michael D Higgins, on 12%, and Fine Gael's Padraig McCormack, on 8%, look set to take a seat each.
Dana Rosemary Scallon scored a paltry 4%, on par with the Greens' Niall O Brolcháin. Her camp insists that her candidacy was announced only days before the poll, and she could do much better on the day.
