As predicted Enda Kenny and Michael Ring were first over the line in the Mayo five-seater constituency.
Kenny exceeded the quota which was set at 12,360 by 5,112 votes with Ring having 820 votes to spare.
It was 8pm before the first count was completed after three votes were missing and a recount had to be ordered.
The total electorate was 74,795 with 641 invalid papers leaving the valid poll at 74,154.
The second count is now underway with Kenny’s surplus to be divided.
After the first count Dara Calleary (FF ) received 8,577 votes, John Carey (Green Party ) 266, Lisa Chambers (FF ) 3,343, Loretta Clarke (Ind ) 218, Rose Conway-Walsh (SF ) 2,660, Dr Jerry Cowley (Lab ) 3,644, Martin Daly (Ind ) 893, Sean Forkin (Ind ) 29, Enda Kenny (FG ) 17,472, Michael Kilcoyne (Ind ) 3,996, Dermot McDonnell (Ind ) 216, Michelle Mulherin (FG ) 8,851, John O’Mahony (FG ) 8,667, Michael Ring (FG ) 13,180, and Therese Ruane (SF ) 2,142.
The results of the first count were very much in line with what Fine Gael tallies had reported which put Kenny, Ring, Mulherin, O’Mahony and Calleary across the line in that order.
Enda Kenny’s earlier arrival at the count centre was met with much whopping and excitement but he had already left by the time the results of the first count were announced.
