The final composition of Ireland’s new team of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) was becoming clearer on Thursday evening as the rigorous count for the European elections was nearing its end. Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, a former Eurovision host representing Fianna Fáil, secured a second seat in the Ireland South, fending off Mick Wallace, the outgoing representative of Independents 4 Change, who failed to maintain his place. Also joining the MEP roster from Ireland South are Independent Michael McNamara, Sinn Féin’s Kathleen Funchion, alongside Sean Kelly of Fine Gael and Billy Kelleher from Fianna Fáil.
Political losses continued, with Grace O’Sullivan, an incumbent MEP from the Green Party, losing her seat, adding to the party’s losses that included Dublin MEP, Ciarán Cuffe. O’Sullivan viewed her party’s perceived alliance with the government as a contributing factor to her loss, noting that she hadn’t achieved as many transfers as in the last election, five years ago.
Independent Luke “Ming” Flanagan clinched a victory in Midlands-North-West, scoring a third term in Brussels. His win was largely helped by the bulk of transfers he got from Peadar Tóibín, the leader of Aontú, following Tóibín’s elimination.
Chris MacManus from Sinn Féin became the fifth sitting MEP to lose his seat in this round, following O’Sullivan, Clare Daly, also an Independent, as well as Cuffe and Wallace. MacManus noted the importance of learning from public feedback post-election, stating that his team had worked diligently during the campaign.
Barry Cowen of Fianna Fáil seemed set to secure a position next to Nina Carberry from Fine Gael, and her colleague Maria Walsh. The last spot seemed likely to be a contest between Ciarán Mullooly from Independent Ireland and Michelle Gildernew of Sinn Féin.