How it started ...
Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns and Fianna Fáil's Christopher O’Sullivan have all retained their Dáil seats.
It is the first time that the Cork South-West constituency has seen all three incumbents get re-elected, while it is also the first time in over 50 years that a Fianna Fáil TD has managed to keep their seat there.
Although the result looked set from early on Saturday, it took until the early hours of Sunday morning before it became official with Mr Collins topping the poll.
He was elected on count eight and received 23% first preference votes.
An exultant Michal Collins, Independent Ireland, elected on the 8th count in Cork South West. #GE2024 More @rtenews pic.twitter.com/ZtQ4kwIIPQ
— RTÉ Cork South-West (@RTEcorkSTHWEST) December 1, 2024
Ms Cairns took 20% of first preferences and was elected on count 10, while Mr O'Sullivan took 19% and was confirmed on the following count - which finally concluded at 4.38am.
Ms Cairns could not attend the count centre at Mallow GAA as she gave birth to a baby girl on polling day.
The general election in 2020 was the first time Fine Gael failed to win a seat in Cork South-West.
The party ran two candidates in this election - Senator Tim Lombard and Councillor Noel O'Donovan - but the tactic failed to pay off with Mr O’Donovan getting 13% of the vote and Mr Lombard getting almost 11%.
No other party managed to make a mark, with Sinn Féin’s two candidates Donnchadh Ó'Seaghdha and Clare O’Callaghan polling a combined 5%, while every other party came in under 2%.
How it ended...
