ELECTION 2020: Count 6 – McGuinness finally reaches quota to take seat, counting to resume in morning

Kilkenny’s traditional poll topper John McGuinness has been re-elected to Dáil Éireann at the sixth count in the Carlow Kilkenny constituency battle of the 2020 General Election.

The outspoken Fianna Fáil TD has to settle for second place this time around after Kathleen Funchion polled 17,493 first preference votes on the back of a strong local campaign and Sinn Féin surge across the country.

And if Deputy McGuinness has his way following his call earlier for Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to open talks with Sinn Féin about the possibility of forming a new government, the two Kilkenny-based TDs could find themselves serving in the next Cabinet together if the numbers dictate.

Deputy McGuinness was elected at the sixth count at the Lyrath Estate Conference Tonight after he finally surpassed the quota of 12,274 votes. Solidarity-People Before Profit candidate Adrienna Wallace has been eliminated.

Elsewhere, John Paul Phelan got a much-needed bump from his running mate Patrick O’Neill, which puts him well ahead of party colleague Pat Deering.

Fianna Fáil are now looking good for a three seats in Carlow-Kilkenny, with Phelan likely to take the seat for Fine Gael.

But that will all have to wait until tomorrow as the count has now adjourned for the night.

Counting will recommence at 10am tomorrow.

General Election 2020, Carlow-Kilkenny Constituency – Count 6:

Quota: 12,274

*FUNCHION, Kathleen SF 17,493 * COUNT 1 (Elected)
*McGUINNESS, John FF 12,612 * +411 (Elected)
MURNANE O’CONNOR, Jennifer FF 10,333 +80
PHELAN, John Paul FG 9,429 +2,454
AYLWARD, Bobby FF 8,642 +234
NOONAN, Malcolm GP 7,313 +235
DEERING, Pat FG 6,995 +575

WALLACE, Adrienne SOL-PBP 4,823 +47  – Eliminated 

*Sitting TDs