It took eight counts, but the Donegal Municipal District finally has its first Councillor elected.
Fianna Fail’s Michael Naughton had a long wait, but finally breached the quota on the eighth count when Martin Hegarty’s votes were distributed.
He returns to Lifford once again, officially topping the polls with 2,151 votes.
Five seats still remain to be filled on what might be a long night in the John Bosco Centre in Donegal Town.
Sinn Fein’s Noel Jordan and Michael McMahon are clawing closer to the 1,985 vote quota – Jordan now is on 1,868, with McMahon on 1,852.
The chasing pack behind them for the final three seats could see any one of a number of candidates find their way to a seat.
Independent Jimmy Brogan leads that charge on 1,705, with fellow Independent Niamh Kennedy getting a great boost from Hegarty’s transfers up to 1,588 votes.
Fine Gael’s Manus Boyle is just behind her on 1,554 votes, followed by his party running mate Barry Sweeny on 1,448 and Independent Pauric Kennedy closely behind on 1,417.
