Cowen 'most popular politician in the country'
Finance Minister Brian Cowen had over 7,000 votes to spare when he was deemed to be elected on the first count shortly after 11pm at the Laois Offaly count centre in Birr.
His personal performance marked him as the most popular politician in the country with the highest first preference of any candidates at 19,102 - 7,186 above the quota of 11,916 in this exciting five-seater constituency.
Charlie Flanagan of Fine Gael was in second place, polling 9,067 first preferences, some 700+ ahead of his party colleague Olwyn Enright. Both look set to take two seats comfortably.
The excitement will come within the Fianna Fáil party and all eyes will be glued on where Brian Cowen’s surplus will go to see if it will leave Offaly councillor John Foley ahead of sitting deputy John Moloney - 1,343 votes separate them after the first count.
Outgoing Minister of State Tom Parlon is the casualty in this constituency polling in seventh position with 4,233 votes.
Sinn Féin’s Brian Stanley will also be disappointed not to have made more inroads.
The count has closed for the night and will resume at 9am tomorrow morning to fill the remaining four seats.
Spoilt votes 662
Total valid poll: 71,491
Quota: 11,916
Brian Cowen (FF) 19,102
Charlie Flanagan (FG) 9,067
Olwyn Enright (FG) 8,297
Sean Fleming (FF) 8,064
John Moloney (FF) 7,242
John Foley (FF) 5,899
Tom Parlon (PD) 4,233
Brian Stanley (SF) 3,656
Molly Buckley (FG) 2,196
Jim O’Brien (Lab) 1,278
John Bracken (Ind) 934
Maire McKay (Green) 814
David Whelan (Lab) 425
Colm Callanan (CSP) 156
Joe McCormack (Ind) 85
Noel O’Gara (Ind) 45.
