Glenfin man Martin Scanlon was the surprise package in the Lifford/Stranorlar area as he topped the tally.
Scanlon has taken 1,387 first preference votes with 12.5% of the total – a full 187 votes ahead of his next rival.
The independent candidate was delighted with his showing and is ahead of many seasoned campaigners such as Martin Harley, Frank McBrearty, Gary Doherty, Patrick McGowan and Gerry Crawford.
Another candidate showing well although he might just fall short is the 100% Redress candidate Charles Ward who sits in seventh place after the tally.
There is still a lot of business to be done when the actual count begins tomorrow.
The full tally is:
Martin Scanlon, non-party; 12.5 percent; 1,387 votes
Martin Harley, Fine Gael; 10.8 percent, 1,200 votes
Frank McBrearty, non-party; 10.7 percent, 1,188 votes
Gary Doherty, Sinn Féin; 10.4 percent, 1,151 votes
Patrick McGowan, Fianna Fáil; 10.2 percent, 1,125
Gerry Crawford, Fianna Fáil, 8.9 percent, 984 votes
Charles Ward, 100% Redress; 7.8 percent, 860 votes
Niall McConnell, non-party; 7.7 percent, 856 votes
Dakota Nic Mheanman, Sinn Féin; 7 percent, 780 votes
Tony McDaid, Sinn Féin; 5.6 percent, 615 votes
Garvan Connolly, Fine Gael; 4.6 percent, 509 votes
Rebecca McDaid, Aontú; 3.7 percent, 410 votes
