ELECTIONS 2019: Fianna Fáil polling strongest in Kilkenny city, Green wave sweeps across country
AS a ‘Green’ wave sweeps across the country, closer to home it’s the green of Fianna Fáil which appears to be polling strongest in the Kilkenny local elections, according to early tallies.
In Kilkenny city, Green Party councillor Malcolm Noonan’s seat is safe, and he is likely to be joined by three Fianna Fáil elected councillors, with Andrew McGuinness and Joe Malone both polling strongly.
They are likely to be joined sitting Fine Gael councillor David Fitzgerald and Independent Eugene McGuinness. Then it’s looking like a three-way contest for the final two seats, with John Coonan (FF) looking the strongest, and Martin Brett (FF) and Sean Tyrell (SF) battling it out for the final seat.
Fianna Fáil are also performing strongest in Castlecomer, where Pat Fitzpatrick is set to comfortably top the poll. Mary Hilda Kavanagh (FG), Michael McCarthy (FF) and first-time candidate Denis Hynes (Labour) are also polling strongly.
Count centre staff in Kilkenny and across the country have been separating ballot papers for the local and European elections, and the referendum on easing divorce restrictions since 9am.
Nationally, the big story of the local elections has been the resurgence of the Greens, with Eamon Ryan’s party looking set to achieve unprecedented levels of support.
The Greens look set to take a seat in the Dublin euro constituency and they’re also in the running for seats in Midlands-North-West and Ireland South.
According to a RED C poll, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are neck-and-neck on 23% support each with Sinn Féin slightly down.
Meanwhile, the divorce referendum looks as if it will be carried by an overwhelming majority.
More updates to follow.
