TOP STORIES
•Cllrs Joe Conway (Independent), Jim Griffin (Sinn Féin) and Eamon Quinlan (Fianna Fáil) retain their seats along with Blaise Hannigan (Independent) getting elected in Tramore-City West
•Cllrs Joanne Bailey, Seamus Ryan and Frank Quinlan retain seats in City South
•Cllr Mary Roche wins first Waterford seat for Social Democrats in City East
•Metropolitan Mayor, Jody Power, loses his seat
•All six Waterford Local Electoral Areas now completed
THE FINAL COUNT HAS ENDED WITH TRAMORE-WATERFORD CITY WEST
Update: 22:26pm
The final count has ended in the Waterford elections with the Tramore-Waterford City West count ending at 10.25pm and the final four seats being filled by returning Councillors Joe Conway (Independent), Jim Griffin (Sinn Féin), Eamon Quinlan (Fianna Fáil) and Blaise Hannigan (Independent).
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DUNGARVAN ELECTS FINAL COUNCILLORS
Joe O'Riordan (Independent) has taken the last seat in the Dungarvan LEA tonight, with Seamus O'Donnell (IND) losing his seat. Also elected were Thomas Phelan (LAB) and Pat Nugent (FG).
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FOUR LOCAL ELECTORAL AREAS COMPLETED
Update: 20:26pm
Councillors Joanne Bailey (Sinn Féin), Seamus Ryan (Labour) and Frank Quinlan (Fine Gael) have retained their seats in the Waterford City South electoral area.
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THREE LOCAL ELECTORAL AREAS COMPLETED
Update: 20:10pm
Waterford City East has filled all six seats with the following Councillors: David Daniels (Ind); Declan Barry (Ind); Pat Fitzgerald (Sinn Féin); Adam Wyse (Fianna Fáil); Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) and Mary Roche (Social Democrats).
MAYOR LOSES SEAT
Update: 19:05pm
No Green Party candidates have been elected yet, with the current Metropolitan Mayor, Jody Power, losing his seat in the 8th count of the Waterford East LEA.
An overall view of parties shows Sinn Féin, Fine Gael and Independents all on par at 25% each.
Waterford TD Matt Shanahan has made an appearance at the SETU Arena and he said he's "delighted" with the performance of the Independents.
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TWO LOCAL ELECTORAL AREAS ARE NOW COMPLETED
Update: 17:33pm
The Lismore Councillors are: John Pratt (Labour); Niamh O'Donovan (FG) and Donnchadh Mulcahy (SF).
The Portlaw - Kilmacthomas Councillors are: Liam Brazil (FG); Seanie Power (FG); John O'Leary (FF); Declan Clune (IND) and Catherine Burke (SF).
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FIANNA FÁIL FILLS MORE SEATS
Update: 17:32pm
Waterford City East sees one it's youngest former Mayors re-elected as Adam Wyse continues to represent Fianna Fáil.
He was elected on the 7th Count with a total of 1,429 votes, taking the fourth seat with two remaining in that area.
Also in the 7th Count of the Dungarvan LEA, within minutes of Wyse being elected, Fianna Fáil's Tom Cronin was deemed elected.
Cllr Wyse and Cllr Cronin are supported in Waterford today by the Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, where family members of both councillors thanked her for her help.
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SINN FEIN RETAINS SEAT IN WATERFORD CITY EAST
Update: 16:12pm
Sinn Féin has retained its seat in the Waterford City East electoral area following the election of Cllr Pat Fitzgerald on the Sixth count. (See video below)
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SINN FÉIN'S CRETZAN ELIMINATED
Update: 15:27pm
The counts continue for Waterford City East as seven candidates are now fighting for the remaining five seats.
Three Sinn Féin candidates ran in this area, with two eliminated, but sitting Councillor Pat Fitzgerald is still looking strong.
Two Independents, David Daniels and Declan Barry, were both elected on the first count.
The eliminated candidates thus far as we reach Count 6 include: Karl Cretzan (SF), Caroline Griffin (SF) and John D. Walsh (The Irish People).
Fianna Fáil's Adam Wyse is currently leading after Count 5 with 1,124 votes.
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NEWCOMER MULCAHY ELECTED
Update: 14:17pm
Sinn Féin candidate Donnchadh Mulcahy is elected on the fifth count for the Lismore LEA. The 33-year old married father of one is a first timer on the Council.
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NEWCOMER O'DONOVAN ELECTED
Update: 12:48pm
Fine Gael candidate Niamh O'Donovan is elected on the fourth count in the Lismore LEA. One seat remains.
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FIRST LABOUR CANDIDATE ELECTED
Update:12:48pm
John Pratt is re-elected in the Lismore LEA on the fourth count, making him the first Labour candidate to be elected in Waterford so far.
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JOHN O'LEARY REELECTED
Update: 10:50am
Fianna Fáil’s John O’Leary has been elected in the second count in Portlaw/Kilmacthomas LEA. He will join Fine Gael’s Liam Brazil and Seanie Power, who were elected in count one yesterday.
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SINN FEIN'S CLLR JOHN HEARNE RELECTED
Update: 10:33am
Sinn Féin's Cllr John Hearne has been relected on the second count in the Waterford City South area following the allocation of Cllr Donal Barry's surplus.
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ELECTION COUNT RESTARTS IN SETU ARENA
Update 09.10am:The election count has restarted in SETU Arena. Returning Officer, Paul Johnston made the announcement at 9.10am.
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FINE GAEL ON A ROLL AS NEWCOMER MAKES IT THROUGH ON FIRST COUNT
Update 01.20am:Fine Gael's, Cllr Lola O'Sullivan continued the party's positive start to the elections having been elected on the first county in the Tramore-Waterford City West area along with Independent newcomer, Declan Barry and Cllr David Daniels in the Waterford City East area.
Meanwhile, Cllr Donal Barry was elected on the first count in the Waterford City South area while Cllrs Conor McGuinness (Sinn Fein) and Fine Gael's, Cllr Damien Geoghan were re-elected in the Dungarvan area where Cllr Geoghan topped the poll with 1,584 votes.
The quota in Dungarvan was 1,311 and Cllr McGuinness received 1,408.
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DECLAN DOOCEY ELIMINATED IN SECOND COUNT
Declan Doocey receives 568 votes in the second count, the lowest of all remaining candidates and therefore is eliminated.
No candidates elected yet.
Donnchadh Mulcahy (Sinn Fein) receives the most votes in the second count at 1,205, followed by Labour's John Pratt with 1,019.
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REACTION FROM FINE GAEL'S SEANIE POWER FOLLOWING RE-ELECTION
Seanie Power has retained his seat in the Portlaw/Kilmacthomas LEA.
Reacting to the victory, Cllr Power said: “I’m delighted to be here, it’s been a long day and we didn’t think it would go on for so long but I’m just delighted that it's over because I have been thinking about it all week just hoping it would go well. It’s like playing a match and the final whistle comes."
When asked what compelled so many people to cast their vote in his direction, Cllr Power said: “I’m out and about, I meet people and I’m on the ground which I feel is very important. When anyone contacts me I’m there, be it for roads, planning, housing or anything. I like being out meeting people and I feel its hugely important.”
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FINE GAEL WINS TWO SEATS ON FIRST COUNT IN PORTLAW-KILMACTHOMAS AREA
Fine Gael Councillors Liam Brazil and Seanie Power have been re-elected on the first count in the Portlaw-Kilmacthomas area.
Cllr Brazil received 1,982 first preference votes while Cllr Power received 1,554 meaning both exceeded the quota of 1,299.
Three seats remain in the electoral ward with Fianna Fáil's, Cllr John O'Leary, close to the line having received 1,104 first preference votes.
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FIRST COUNT RESULTS SEES THREE CANDIDATES ELIMINATED IN LISMORE
The results of the first count in the Lismore electoral area saw three candidates eliminated. Glasscoe Lynne (Green Party), Michael McCarthy (The Irish Party), and Frank Power (Independent).
The total valid poll was 5,153, the electorate was 9,952 and the turnout was 52.29%. The quota is 1,289.
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GREEN PARTY STRUGGLING IN FIRST TALLIES
Update 22.24pm:
The first official count is yet to be announced at SETU Arena. As the wait continues, it appears that the Green Party may be struggling, as the first tallies reveal their share in Waterford City West (4.64%); Waterford City East (7.20%); Waterford City South (2.15%); Dungarvan (3.7%) and Lismore (2.96%).
In Waterford City East, Metropolitan Mayor and Green Councillor is Jody Power polling at 7.2%, the sole candidate for the party.
Longstanding Councillor Mary Roche is polling just ahead at 7.3%, and may have to grapple with Cllr Power to retain a seat in Council.
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COUNCILLOR SEAMUS RYAN SPEAKS TO WATERFORD NEWS & STAR AHEAD OF THE FIRST COUNT
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COUNCILLOR JOE KELLY SPEAKING TO WATERFORD NEWS & STAR AHEAD OF THE FIRST COUNT
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A LONG TRADITION AND A LONG TIME WAITING
Update 19:40pm:As we wait for the first official count to begin here in SETU Arena, Damian Geoghegan describes himself as the "prize bull" while donning a traditional rosette. The Fine Gael candidate is expected to retain his seat in the Dungarvan area on the first count. Watch Cllr Geoghegan explain the importance of the Rosette.
Fine Gael’s Damien Geoghegan says he “feels like the prize bull” as he’s one of the only candidates donning a rosette.
— Jess is ainm dom. (@JessMartin___) June 8, 2024
He’s also expected to take 1 of 6 seats in #Dungarvan on the first count.#Waterford #LE2024 #LE24 pic.twitter.com/QJfeoEa0t2
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FINE GAEL AND INDEPENDENTS LOOKING GOOD FOR TRAMORE-WATERFORD CITY WEST
Update 17:09pm:With all of the boxes in the Tramore – Waterford City West ward now opened all the signs from the tallies are that Cllrs Lola O’Sullivan, Joe Kelly, Jim Griffin and Joe Conway will be returned to the Council by the electorate.
Cllr O’Sullivan returned a 16.49% showing from the tallies with Cllr Joe Kelly following closely with 11.43%.
The tallies showed Cllr Joe Conway with 11.08% of the vote and Cllr Jim Griffin next with 8.91%. Independent candidate and former Councillor, Blaise Hannigan, also showed well in the tallies at 11.44%.
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EUROPEAN ELECTIONS UPDATE
Update 15:30pm:As the separation of votes for local elections and European elections is drawing to an end, we've very little insight in Waterford as to what fate lies in store for the European candidates.
Just three boxes for the Europeans were tallied in Waterford, those being from St Paul's, St Saviour's and Tramore.
From those three boxes, Grace O'Sullivan topped 304 votes (196 of those being from her hometown of Tramore); Carlow-Kilkenny's Kathleen Funchion of Sinn Féin came in with 159 and it's believed she'll be of the better of the transfer votes from Labour's Niamh Hourigan.
Fianna Fáil's Cynthia Ní Mhúrchú had 50 votes and Cork candidate for Ireland First, Derek Blighe was ever so slightly ahead with 58 votes.
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CITY EAST IS INDEPENDENT BUT A SCRAMBLE IS ON THE CARDS
Update 14:42pm:In Waterford City East, the latest tally as it almost comes to a close shows Daniels (Ind), Barry (Ind) and Wyse (FF) take the top three spots, respectively, while it looks like former politician Jim D’Arcy is making a political comeback with Fine Gael.
With 96% of the boxes in that area tallied, it appears that there’ll be contention between Sinn Féin’s Pat Fitzgerald, the current Metropolitan Mayor, Jody Power (Green), and Councillor Mary Roche (who has recently switched her political affiliation to join the Social Democrats from her position as an Independent and formerly Fianna Fáil.
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NECK AND NECK IN LISMORE
Update 14.14pm:Current tallies for Lismore reveal a very close race. Labour’s Cllr John Pratt and Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Mulcahy both hold 17.7% of the tally currently.
Brian Buckley (Independent) is at 16.1%, whilst Fine Gael’s Niamh O’Donovan is just behind at 15.8%.
Cllr Declan Doocey currently holds 10.9% of the tally, with just three seats available.
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FINE GAEL AND INDEPENDENTS TO THE FRONT IN TRAMORE-WATERFORD CITY WEST
Update: 14:03pm:With 78.8% of the boxes opened in Tramore-Waterford City West it's still Fine Gael's, Cllr Lola O'Sullivan and Independent Councillor Joe Kelly who are leading the way with 17.09& and 11.76%, respectively.
Cllr Eamon Quinlan is showing 8.11% and current Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Joe Conway is showing 10.66%.
Sinn Féin's, Cllr Jim Griffin is showing 9.21%.
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INDEPENDENT LEADS IN WATERFORD CITY SOUTH
Update 13.40pm:Independent Councillor Donal Barry has passed the 1,000 vote mark for the City South area, currently at 17.8% of the votes. Sinn Féin's John Hearne is also advancing with 13.4% of the votes, followed by Fianna Fáil's Jason Murphy at 12.4%, and Sinn Féin's Joeanne Bailey at 10.5%. Currently, 84.85% of the boxes for this area has been tallied.
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INDEPENDENTS LEAD CITY EAST
Update 13:14pm:Independent Councillor David Daniels was the first to pass the 1,000-vote mark of all 79 candidates in the tally. He’s in the City East area, with another strong Independent candidate, Declan Barry, who's closely behind with 15% of the votes. 75% of the boxes in this area have been tallied.
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SINN FÉIN'S CONOR MCGUINNESS TAKES LEAD IN DUNGARVAN
Update 12:17pm:Cllr Conor McGuinness of Sinn Féin is currently in the lead in Dungarvan, standing at 16.6% of the total tally, with 62% of boxes opened.
Speaking on early indications, Cllr McGuinness said: “A little over half the boxes are now open in the Dungarvan LEA. It’s still very early and hard to say anything definitive, but regardless, this is a great day for democracy.
“You can have a lot of drama at these, but ultimately if people cast their vote, we’re just here to observe democracy taking place, and whatever result takes place we accept that and move on."
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FINE GAEL DOING WELL IN TRAMORE-WATERFORD CITY WEST
Update 11:51am:With 57.6% of the boxes opened in the Tramore and City West Ward the initial tallies show Cllr Lola O’Sullivan (Fine Gael) doing very well with 16.89% of the poll.
Independent Councillor Joe Kelly, is also showing well in the early tallies at 12.86%. Sinn Féin’s, Cllr Jim Griffin is also doing well with 10.55% and new candidate Blaise Hannigan, who is a former Councillor, is showing at 9.26%.
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INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES IN THE LEAD IN CITY EAST
Update 11:30am:The City East constituency has 37% of votes for the Independent candidates, Declan Barry (Ind) leads with over 18%. David Daniels (Ind) and Adam Wyse (Fianna Fáil) are not far behind with 14% and 12% of votes, respectively.
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FIANNA FÁIL DOMINATING IN DUNGARVAN TALLIES REVEAL
Update 11:25am:Cllr Tom Cronin (Fianna Fáil) is doing very well in Dungarvan at the moment with 17.4% of the tally, Cllr Conor McGuinness (Sinn Féin) following closely at 16.9%, Damien Geoghegan (Fine Gael) following at 11.7%.
Cllr Pat Nugent (Fine Gael) is at 12.2%, whilst Cllr Thomas Phelan (LAB) is at 9.1%.
Just under 40% of the boxes have been tallied, with 13 boxes opened. More tallies as we get them.
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WATERFORD CITY SOUTH TALLIES IN - DONAL BARRY LEADS THE WAY
Update 10.51am: Early tallies - Donal Barry (Independent) is doing very well in Waterford City South so far, (18.92%), followed closely by Sinn Féin's Joeanne Bailey (13.1%). Nearly half of the boxes have been tallied at this point, with 16 boxes opened (48.5% tallied). Also doing well in the area is Sinn Féin Councillor John Hearne (12.22%), followed by Fianna Fáil's Jason Murphy (11.94%), and Labour's Seamus Ryan (9.4%). More tallies as we get them.
Update 9.50am:The assistance of medical personnel has been requested to help with a "small injury to a finger".
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SORTING OF BOXES UNDERWAY AT SETU ARENA
Update 9.15am:Sorting is now underway with a slightly delayed start of 9.15am.
Some councillor candidates in Waterford have the support of their Dáil and Seanad representatives. Marc Ó Cathasaigh is at the railings for the Greens and David Cullinane is also keeping a close eye for Sinn Féin, while Senator John Cummins is getting his steps in as he paces around his Fine Gael colleagues.
Update 9.01am:The count has officially started in SETU Arena and the Tally people have begun the task of guaging the swing of votes.
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TURNOUT LOW IN SOME CITY AREAS
FRIDAY Update 8.00pm:It's expected that the turnout for St Paul's Lisduggan is averaging 40-45% at approximately 7pm this evening, and overall the percentage for Waterford is looking likely to be a low one.
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VOTING OPENS ACROSS WATERFORD CITY AND COUNTY
Update 7.00am:Voting has commenced across Waterford in the 2024 Irish local authority and European Parliament elections.
97,538 people are of voting age in Waterford. People have until 10.00pm tonight to cast their votes.
Waterford Local Election Candidates
Waterford City and County Council is divided into six local electoral areas (LEAs), where a total of 32 councillors will be elected.
The following candidates have put themselves before the Waterford electorate.
Tramore / Waterford City West LEA - 6 seats
- Ronan Cleary (Aontu)
- Joe Conway (Independent)
- Samantha Dooley (Party for Animal Welfare)
- Susan Duffin (Sinn Féin)
- Michael Gallwey (Independent Ireland)
- Jim Griffin (Sinn Féin)
- Blaise Hannigan (Independent)
- John Hayes (Sinn Féin)
- Richie Hayes (Fine Gael)
- Alana Hutchinson Smith (Sinn Féin)
- Joe Kelly (Independent)
- Cristiona Kiely (Green Party)
- Killian Mangan (Rabharta)
- Mairead McKnight (Labour)
- Melissa O'Neill (Independent)
- Lola O'Sullivan (Fine Gael)
- Eamon Quinlan (Fianna Fáil)
Waterford City South LEA - 6 seats
- Joeanne Bailey (Sinn Féin)
- Donal Barry (Independent)
- Breda Brennan (Sinn Féin)
- Kevin Burke (Sinn Féin)
- Vivienne Burns (Fianna Fáil)
- Lisa Carroll (Independent)
- Patrick Curtin (People Before Profit)
- Eric English (Independent)
- Sinead Ellen Griffin (Social Democrats)
- John Hearne (Sinn Féin)
- Jason Murphy (Fianna Fáil)
- Maoiliosa Ni Chleirigh (Green Party)
- Frank Quinlan (Fine Gael)
- Sean Reinhardt (Independent)
- Seamus Ryan (Labour)
Waterford City East LEA - 6 seats
- Declan Barry (Independent)
- Karl Cretzan (Sinn Féin)
- David Daniels (Independent)
- Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)
- Pat Fitzgerald (Sinn Féin)
- Caroline Griffin (Sinn Féin)
- Stephanie Keating (Fianna Fáil)
- Jody Power (Green Party)
- Mary Roche (Social Democrats)
- Darren Ryan (Independent)
- John D. Walsh (The Irish People)
- Adam Wyse (Fianna Fáil)
Portlaw / Kilmacthomas LEA - 5 seats
- Liam Brazil (Fine Gael)
- Catherine Burke (Sinn Féin)
- Declan Clune (Independent)
- Frank Conway (Independent)
- Ben Duggan (Sinn Féin)
- Thomas Guiry (Sinn Féin)
- Ray Murphy (Fianna Fáil)
- John O'Leary (Fianna Fáil)
- Declan Power (The Irish People)
- Seanie Power (Fine Gael)
Dungarvan LEA - 6 seats
- Tom Cronin (Fianna Fáil)
- Padraic Curran (Independent)
- Conor D. McGuinness (Sinn Féin)
- Damien Geoghegan (Fine Gael)
- Caren Hallahan (Independent)
- Aaron Joyce (Independent)
- Roger Morrison (Independent)
- Monica Murphy (Fine Gael)
- Pat Nugent (Fine Gael)
- Seamus O'Donnell (Independent)
- Críostóir O'Faolain (Green Party)
- Joe O'Riordan (Independent)
- Thomas Phelan (Labour)
- Fiona Regan (Sinn Féin
- Jonathan Shaw (Independent)
- Siobhan Whelan (Sinn Féin)
Lismore LEA - 3 seats
- Brian Buckley (Independent)
- Declan Doocey (Fine Gael)
- Lynne Glasscoe (Green Party)
- Michael McCarthy (The Irish People)
- Donnchadh Mulcahy (Sinn Féin)
- Niamh O'Donovan (Fine Gael)
- Frank Power (Independent)
- John Pratt (Labour)
- Michael J. Walsh (Fianna Fáil)
European Parliament Ireland South - 5 seats
The following candidates have put themselves forward for election in the Ireland South constituency of the European Parliament, where five seats are up for grabs.
- Derek Blighe (Ireland First)
- Lorna Bogue (Rabharta)
- Graham de Barra (Independent)
- Christopher VS Doyle (Independent)
- Susan Doyle (Social Democrats)
- Mary Fitzgibbon (Independent)
- Kathleen Funchion (Sinn Féin)
- Paul Gavan (Sinn Féin)
- Niamh Hourigan (Labour)
- Billy Kelleher (Fianna Fáil)
- Seán Kelly (Fine Gael)
- Ross Lahive (The Irish People)
- Michael Leahy (Irish Freedom Party)
- Una McGurk (Independent)
- Michael McNamara (Independent)
- John Mullins (Fine Gael)
- Patrick Murphy (Aontú)
- Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Fianna Fáil)
- Ciaran O'Riordan (Independent)
- Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party)
- Cian Prendiville (People Before Profit -Solidarity)
- Eddie Punch (Independent Ireland)
- Mick Wallace (Independents 4 Change)
