How it started ...
Two days of counting filled the three seats in Roscommon-Galway.
The first seat was filled by Michael Fitzmaurice of Independent Ireland who exceeded the 10,283 quota on the first count with 12,002 first preferences.
Second home was Claire Kerrane (Sinn Féin) who returns to the Dáil for a second term. She was elected on count seven with 11,087 votes.
The final seat was filled by Martin Daly (Fianna Fáil) without reaching the quota on the seventh count with 10,234 votes.
The big change here is that Fianna Fáil has a TD again in this neck of the woods.
It was a disappointing run for Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) who came fourth with 7,593 on count seven. The senator said she would assess the result in time.
It was also a disappointing outing for Eugene Murphy. The former Fianna Fáil TD and outgoing senator had hoped to return to Leinster House as an Independent TD, but fell well short, ending count six on 5,779 votes.
These five were the only ones in contention here.
Other candidates, including Dympna Daly-Finn (FG), polled well in their home areas but never had a chance of catching the leaders. She finished on 2,425.
A hint of sadness hung over the weekend count at the Hyde Centre. John Naughton, who had been selected to run for Fine Gael passed away unexpectedly in October.
After proceedings, Returning Officer Olivia Bushell held a minute's silence for the Mr Naughton and his family. His brother Denis recently retired after serving as both a Fine Gael and, more recently, an Independent TD.
With government formation on everyone's mind, all three elected candidates said their parties should enter negotiations to form a government.
Mr Fitzmaurice said his party was ready to "do business".
How it ended ...
