Malcolm Byrne has won the seat vacated by Mick Wallace and the Fianna Fail councillor will enter Dail Eireann as Wexford’s newest TD next week.

George Lawlor and Byrne were the last candidates standing as Verona Murphy’s votes were distributed.

BYRNE, Malcolm (+4,101) 18, 830

LAWLOR, George (+3,569) 14,476

Non-Transfers 3,166

There was a dramatic development when Labour’s George Lawlor moved into second place after Verona Murphy had been eliminated on the fourth Count.

Murphy had been in second place behind Malcolm Byrne since the count began, but a massive transfer to Lawlor of 2,390 from the Mythen-Dubsky vote returned the Wexford councillor as serious contender.

Cinnamon Blackmore (SPBP), Charlie Keddy (Independent) and Melissa O’Neill (IFP) were all eliminated after the first count.

Jim Codd (Aontu) was eliminated after the second count. The Rosslare-based councillor was “happy with the support” he received. He said Aontú is not a year old yet and it has multiplied its vote by three.” Cllr Codd is looking forward to the General Election!

Karen Dubsky and Johnny Mythen exited on the third count and their combined transfers were distributed as one count.

Electorate 114,483

Total Poll 40,382

Valid Poll 40,068

Spoiled Votes 314

Number on seats 1.

COUNT 1

BYRNE, Malcolm 12,506

MURPHY, Verona 9,543

LAWLOR, George 8,024

MYTHEN, Johnny 4,125

DUBSKY, Karen 2,490

CODD, Jim 2,102

BLACKMORE, Cinnamon 659

O’NEILL, Melissa489

KEDDY, Charlie 130.

Blackmore, Keddy and O’Neill have been eliminated and the Count continues with the distribution of their votes.

COUNT 2

BYRNE, Malcolm (+154) 12,660

MURPHY, Verona (+77) 9,543

LAWLOR, George (+88) 8,112

MYTHEN, Johnny (+219) 4,344

DUBSKY, Karen (+255) 2,745

CODD, Jim (+293) 2,395

Jim Codd has been eliminated and the count continues with the distribution of his votes.

COUNT 3

BYRNE, Malcolm (+422) 13,082

MURPHY, Verona (+323) 9,943

LAWLOR, George (+405) 8,517

MYTHEN, Johnny (+321) 4,665

DUBSKY, Karen (+292) 3,337.

Non-Transferable 632.

Karen Dubsky and Johnny Mythen are eliminated. Continuing with the combined votes of Dubsky and Mythen.

COUNT 4

BYRNE, Malcolm (+1,647) 14,729

LAWLOR, George (+2,390) 10,907

MURPHY, Verona (+893) 10,836

Non-Transferable 2,772

Verona Murphy is eliminated. Distribution of her vote is now taking place.

The Count took place in St. Joseph’s Community Centre, Bishopswater, Wexford, and Returning Officer Marie Garahy made the final declaration just before 8 pm.