A full recount of all 59,071 votes has been called in Cork North Central as People Before Profit Solidarity’s Mick Barry fights to retain his seat.
The 60-year-old lost out on the fifth and final seat in the early hours of Monday morning to Labour Party’s Eoghan Kenny.
With just 35 votes separating the two candidates, Mr Barry requested a recount.
DISCREPANCIES
Following a meeting between Labour and PBPS representatives with the returning officer for Cork City Martin Harvey it was agreed that a recount would begin with an examination of bundles of 50 votes at a time.
Speaking to media on Monday afternoon, Mr Barry confirmed that a full recount had been called after 29 discrepancies were found in a sample of 25% of papers.
’29 discrepancies in 25%… that’s quite a number of discrepancies,’ the outgoing TD said, ‘That would be 116 discrepancies overall if that trend were to continue.’
Full recount called in Cork North Central. 29 discrepancies in a sample of 25% of papers. Mick Barry said one vote extra but believes it is indicative possibly of broader errors. It could take three days. @thejournal_ie #GE24 pic.twitter.com/n5F412eyU5
— Niall O’Connor (@NiallJournal_ie) December 2, 2024
‘The next step is a total recount. This is a total recount. The next step is to count all of the ballot papers and that will commence more or less immediately.’
Mr Barry explained that they can withdraw from the count ‘at any time’ but confirmed he would not be withdrawing.
The recount of all nearly 60,000 votes is estimated to take a further three days.
CANDIDATES
It comes following the 17th count which took place at the Cork count centre on Sunday evening, with Mr Barry and Mr Kenny fighting for the fifth and final seat.
Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould was the first elected in the constituency, and was deemed elected on the 10th count, closely followed by Padraig O’Sullivan of Fianna Fáil in the 12th count.
Independent Ireland’s Ken O’Flynn and Fine Gael’s Colm Burke were both deemed elected on the 14th count.
CONSTITUENCIES
162 of 174 seats have been filled with just five outstanding counts as of Monday afternoon, which is day three of counting.
Cavan-Monaghan are still to fill 4 seats; Kildare North have 3 to fill, as does Louth while Tipperary North has 1 of the 3 seats filled.
Cork North Central had all five seats filled, but a full recount has been ordered.