Kerry tallies show SF with almost a third of vote
Sinn Féin could double its representation on Kerry Co Council from two seats to four, party strategists are predicting.
SF Cllr Toireasa Ferris, daughter of SF TD Martin Ferris, heads the poll in the Tralee area, according to tallies, and looks sure to be elected.
Tallies also indicate former Tralee SF town councillor Pat Daly, a local solicitor, will also be successful.
With 32 of the 51 boxes tallied, SF has around 32% of the vote.
Fianna Fáil are on 23.6%, Labour on 13.6% and FG on 12.6%. Best of the Fianna Fáil candidates is Cllr Norma Foley, who is ahead of former FF TD Thomas McEllistrim.
In the Listowel area, FF Cllr John Brassil and Sinn Féin Cllr Robert Beasley are neck-and-neck to top the poll, with Brassil marginally ahead after 22 of the 46 boxes were tallied.
Beasley, a long-time councillor from Ballybunion, looks certain to be elected and senior SF party members say, the party’s second candidate in Listowel, Dianne Nolan, also has a chance.
Also performing well is long-serving Fine Gael Cllr Liam Purtill, currently in third position.
A complete tally is not being done in Killarney on votes cast in Kerry in the election to the European Parliament.
According to a sample of 7,500 votes, FG MEP Sean Kelly is on 33%, FF MEP Brian Crowley is on 28% and SF’s Liadh Ni Riada on 23%.
