2024 General Election updates in Cork South West: Michael Collins leads poll after first count

Places filled: 0

Counts point to first big wins and losses in tight race

21:40: Michael Collins leads the poll after the first count

Independent Ireland Party leader Michael Collins is leading the polls after the first count in south-west Cork.

MP Collins received 11,002 votes, 800 votes short of the quota.

Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns looks set to retain her seat. The Cairns MP received 9,421 votes.

Sitting Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan also appears well positioned to retain his place. MP O’Sullivan received 9,115 first preference votes.

The next two candidates in the fight are Fine Gael duo Cllr Noel O’Donovan with 6,122 votes and Senator Tim Lombard with 5,003 votes.

Long-serving independent councilor Alan Coleman received 2,191 votes, while Sinn Féin candidate Claire O’Callaghan received 1,448 votes.

Sinn Féin fielded two candidates in south-west Cork, with their second candidate Donnchadh Ó Sighdha receiving 835 votes.

Mairead Ruane (Aontu) received 707 votes, Evie Nevin (Labour) received 436 votes, Zoe Laplaud (People Before Profit/Solidarity) received 349 votes, Deborah O’Driscoll (Irish People) with 287 votes, and independent candidate John O. “Leary received 29 votes.

5.15pm: Michael Collins and Holly Cairns have a good chance of retaining their places.

Independent Ireland Party leader Michael Collins is set to retain his seat and lead the polls in south-west Cork.

When the final count was completed, MP Collins had 23.5% of the vote.

Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns, who gave birth to a baby girl on election day, is well set to retain her seat after winning 20%.

Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan is also well placed to retain his seat after receiving 19.2%.

Fine Gael duo Colonel Noel O’Donovan and Senator Tim Lombard are the closest contenders with 13.1% and 9.8% respectively.

1.50pm: Counts show Michael Collins and Holly Cairns polling very well in south-west Cork.

The vote count is almost complete in south west Cork.

The results show Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins and Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns polling very well across the constituency and are expected to retain their seats.

Also expected to take the final spot is Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan, who scored very well.

With 97% of boxes counted in south west Cork, MP Collins currently has 24.5% and has 10,720 votes.

The Cairns MP has 20% of the first preference vote with 9,139 votes.

Incumbent Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan has 19.2% with 8,739 votes.

Cllr Noel O’Donovan (Fine Gael) polled 13.1% with 5,979 votes. His party colleague, Senator Tim Lombard, has 9.8% of the vote and 4,459 votes.

11.45am: Counts show Michael Collins and Holly Cairns polling very well in south-west Cork.

The vote count is in full swing in south west Cork.

Preliminary figures show Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins and Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns doing very well across the constituency.

With 70% of boxes counted in south-west Cork, MP Collins has 24.5% and MP Cairns 20.3% of first preference votes.

Sitting Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan is on 19.1%.

Cllr Noel O’Donovan (Fine Gael), who is expected to claim the final spot, has 12.5%. His party colleague Senator Tim Lombard currently has 9.4%.

10.55: Michael Collins and Holly Cairns vote in south-west Cork.

The counting of votes has begun in the Cork South West constituency in Mallow. Initial results show Independent Ireland Party leader Michael Collins polling well in the constituency.

MP Michael Collins is expected to claim the top spot.

The final two seats are expected to be contested between four candidates.

They include Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan, Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns, the Fine Gael duo, Senator Tim Lombard and Cllr Noel O’Donovan.

Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns T.D. and her partner Barry Looney gave birth to a baby girl on the same day as the country’s elections.

Preliminary constituency-wide figures show MP Cairns is scoring very well.