TALLIES Galway West: Farrell holding lead at half-way point

Sinn Féin candidate Mairéad Farrell is holding on to her lead as tallying reaches the halfway point in Galway West.

The former city councillor is leading with 14% of the vote, closely followed by sitting TD and poll-topper in 2016, Éamon Ó Cuív (FF).

Noel Grealish (Ind) is in third on just under 11% with a strong performance in boxes from Oughterard delivering a surge in first preferences for the sitting-TD who found himself at the centre of controversy last year following comments at a protest meeting over plans to open a Direct Provision Centre in the village.

Outgoing Independent TD Catherine Connolly is also polling strongly at the halfway point, with just under 10%, with Fianna Fáil’s second candidate, City Councillor Ollie Crowe not far behind.

Outgoing Minister Seán Kyne is behind fellow Fine Gael TD Hildegarde Naughton, on 8% – with the city-based TD marginally ahead on 9%.

Cllr Pauline O’Reilly (Green) and Niall Ó Tuathail (SocDem) remain in contention on just over 6% of the vote each.