RESULT: Fifth count of the Laois General Election

Fine Gael’s Willie Aird has been elected on the fifth count in the Laois General Election.

Returning Officer Rory Hanniffy read the results of the third count at 9.20pm. The count saw the distribution of Rosie Palmer’s 788 votes. 

The results of the fifth count are as follows: 

Willie Aird(FG) (+149) 9,619

Pauline Flanagan(Ind) Eliminated

Sean Fleming(FF) (+121) 8,590

Mary Hande(Aontú) (+17)1,108

Jason Lynch(Ind) Eliminated

Maria McCormack(SF)(+56) 5,040

Ken Mooney(PBP) (+159) 954

Aisling Moran(Ind) (+144) 3, 174

Elaine Mullally(Ind) (+45) 2,606

Rosie Palmer(Grn) Eliminated

Austin Stack(FF) Eliminated

Brian Stanley(Ind) (+70) 7, 015

There were 27 non-transferable votes.  Ken Mooney and Mary Hande were eliminated and their 2,062 votes will now be distributed.  

Willie Aird was deemed elected and his undisputed surplus of 49 votes will not be distributed as they would not have an impact on the outcome of the vote. 

The total electorate in Laois is 65,873. The total valid poll is 38,507 and there were 231 spoiled votes leaving a valid poll of 38, 276 and the quota is 9,570.