GALWAY WEST: Eames under pressure to concede

Date Published: 28-Feb-2011

Returning officer Marian Chamber Higgins is expected to announce within minutes the results of the recount in the Galway West constituency.

The recount was called by Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, who it is understood, is now under pressure from Fine Gael party headquarters to concede defeat.

The result of the recount is unlikely to change the order of elimination or have any significance to the total votes of the candidates remaining in the race for the last three seats: Noel Grealish (Ind), Brian Walsh (FG), Catherine Connolly (Ind), Seán Kyne (FG) and Eames.

Once the recount is announced, Labour’s Derek Nolan’s surplus will be distributed and it is expected that Healy Eames will then be eliminated. Her transfers will then be distributed, pushing Walsh and Grealish over the line.

Then the last seat is between Kyne and Connolly, and it could be so close that another recount may be ordered.