A delighted Michael McNamara has been greeted by supporters at the count centre in the West County Hotel.

While Mr McNamara said he wouldn’t count any chickens until the result is official, he said he was very pleased with the tallies.

He said that a huge effort had gone into his campaign. “I think it’s harder than sometimes people realise, other than those who have fought an election or been involved in an election campaign.”

He also said that he hadn’t yet made plans for life as a TD. “I fought harder for this than I ever fought for anything in my life and I haven’t looked beyond tomorrow. And as I said earlier, I’m not elected yet.”

*A full interview will appear in next Thursday’s Clare Champion.