There has been a dramatic development in the By-Election Count with Labour’s George Lawlor moving into second place and Verona Murphy has 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 has turned the Wexford councillor into a serious contender.

Byrne has a lead of 3,822 votes over Lawlor as Murphy’s distribution 10,836 is up for grabs. It is all to play for with two candidates still standing.

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 are now being distributed.

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.