Clare Independent Deputy Michael McNamara has made history by becoming the first local MEP in 35 years with an impressive electoral success in Ireland South. The East Clare deputy won the third-highest number of votes after five gruelling days of counting. Going into the final count Deputy McNamara had 87,542 votes ahead of Kathleen Funchion on 82,508, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú on 75,900, Mick Wallace on 73,947 and Grace O’Sullivan, Green Party, 69,197. Following the 20th count, Deputy McNamara 92,871, Ní Mhurchú 92,502 and Funchion 90,070 were elected without reaching the quota. Following the redistribution of Grace O’Sullivan’s votes, Ní Mhurchú confirmed her lead over Wallace, who lost his seat in the European Parliament. Outgoing MEP Sean Kelly (FG) topped the poll in the first count while another MEP Billy Kelleher, (FF) had to wait until the 18th count to be the second candidate to pass the quota. Former IFA President Paddy Lane, Parteen, was elected to the European …
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