Meath East Decides: Live coverage from the Meath East Count Centre
SEATS
| Fine Gael | Helen McEntee |
| Sinn Fein | Darren O'Rourke |
| Fianna Fail | Thomas Byrne |
| Gillian Toole | Independent |
MEATH EAST DECIDED: Thomas Byrne and Gillian Toole arew elected in Meath East. Thomas Byrne returned to the Dail for the 4th time while Gillian Toole becomes Meath first Independent TD.
COUNT 13 RESULTS
Thomas Byrne 10,525 ELECTED
Helen McEntee 10,006 ELECTED
Darren O'Rourke 9,997 ELECTED
Gillian Toole 8,953 ELECTED.
COUNT 12 RESULTS
No candidate elected on this count. *Result stands after Recheck
Byrne (FF) 7520 +2,145 9,665
Toole (Ind) 6717 +477 7194
Tolan (FG) 4389 +654 5043
Toibin (Aontu) 4785 +242 5027
A Limited Recheck to start with last two candidates, Tolan (5043) and Toibin (5027) separated by just a handful of votes (16). Observers including Thomas Byrne who needs just 332 votes to reach the quota and Cllr Gillian Toole who needs 2,803 to do the same note that the move won’t materially affect who enters 34th Dail!
Toibin, who had called for a recount (a call which was rejected by Returning Officer Kevin Martin) needs (4,970) and Tolan (4,954) to reach the Summit. No going to happen,
01/12/24 - 5.45pm
COUNT 11 RESULTS
No candidate elected on this count. O'Reilly (FF) and her surplus (3996) to be distributed.
Byrne (FF) 7,437 + 83 7520
O'Reilly (FF) 3,918 + 78 3996
Toibin (Aontu) 4289 + 496 4785
Tolan (FG) 4,232 + 157 4389
Toole (Ind) 6,091 + 626 6717
O'Reilly (FF) eliminated
01/12/24 - 4.30pm
COUNT 10 RESULTS
O'Rourke elected!
COUNT 10 RESULTS
Byrne (FF) 7363 + 74 7,437
O'Reilly (FF) 3870 + 48 3,918
O'Rourke (SF) 9,821 + 2965 12,786
Toibin (Aontu) 4165 + 124 4289
Tolan (FG) 4135 + 97 4,232
Toole (Ind) 5952 + 139 6,091
O'Rourke's surplus to be distributed (2789)
01/12/24 - 4pm
Sinn Féin’s Maria White who has just been eliminated on the 9th count reflects on her campaign
01/12/24 - 2.40PM
COUNT 9 RESULTS
No candidate met the quota but distribution of Bonner's 3,477 transfers of which Darren O ' Rourke received 726 is set to elect him on the next count. His running mate White (SF) has been eliminated which is also going to benefit O'Rourke in terms of transfers in count 10. Gillian Toole (IND) also received a boost with an additional 751 transfer votes allocated to her, giving her a distinct advantage to secure that 4th seat at present.
COUNT 9 RESULTS
Byrne (FF) 6,855 + 508 7363
O'Reilly (FF) 3,601 + 269 3870
O'Rourke (SF) 9,095 + 726 9,821
Toibin (Aontu) 3,871 + 294 4165
Tolan (FG) 3,747 + 388 4135
Toole (Ind) 5,211 + 751 5952
White (SF) 3,568 + 89 3657
White (SF) Eliminated
01/12/24 - 12.50PM
EAST MEATH DECIDES... With the 4th seat up for grabs Aontu’s Emer Tobin shares her thoughts on how things are panning out
01/12/24 11am
COUNT 8 RESULTS
COUNT 8 RESULTS
Bonner (Ind) 3173 + 304 3477
Byrne (FF) 6546 + 309 6855
O'Reilly (FF) 3335 + 266 3601
O'Rourke (SF) 8666 + 429 9095
Toibin (Aontu) 3721 + 150 3871
Tolan (FG) 3330 + 417 3747
Toole (Ind) 4859 + 352 5211
White (SF) 3264 + 304 3568
Bonner (Ind) eliminated
COUNT 7 RESULTS
Balfe (Lab) 2440 + 442 2882
Bonner (Ind) 6527 + 93 3173
Byrne (FF) 6527 + 19 6546
O'Reilly (FF) 3304 + 31 3335
O'Rourke (SF) 8325 + 341 8666
Toibin (Aontu) 3633 + 88 3721
Tolan (FG) 3309 + 21 3330
Toole (Ind) 4749 + 110 4859
White (SF) 2951 + 313 3264
Balfe (Lab) eliminated
01/12/24 10.00AM
COUNT 6 RESULTS
COUNT 6 RESULTS
Balfe (Lab) 2089 + 351 2440
Bonner (Ind) 3028 + 52 3080
Byrne (FF) 6432 + 95 6527
McCormack (PBP) 1458 + 78 1536
O'Reilly (FF) 3257 + 47 3304
O'Rourke (SF) 8272 + 53 8325
Toibin (Aontu) 3608 + 25 3633
Tolan (FG) 3210 + 99 3309
Toole (Ind) 4707 + 42 4749
White (SF) 2939 + 12 2951
McCormack (PBP) eliminated
30/11/24
COUNT 5 RESULTS
Helen Mc Entee Elected
Balfe (Lab) 2075 + 13 2089
Bonham (Green) 874 + 1 875
Bonner (Ind) 2929 + 99 3028
Byrne (FF) 6425 + 7 6432
McCormack (PBP) 1434 + 24 1458
McEntee (FG) 9996 + 10 10006
O'Reilly (FF) 3248 + 9 3257
O'Rourke (SF) 8228 + 44 8272
Toibin (Aontu) 3341 + 267 3608
Tolan (FG) 3206 + 4 3210
Toole (Ind) 4549 + 158 4707
White (SF) 2917 + 22 2939
Bonham (Green) eliminated
30/11/24 10.07pm
COUNT 4 RESULTS
distribution of Fahy, Bobbett and Murugadoss's transfers
Balfe (Lab) 2051 + 25 2075
Bonham (Green) 849 + 25 874
Bonner (Ind) 2787 + 142 2929
Byrne (FF) 6407 + 15 6425
McCormack (PBP) 1383 + 51 1434
McEntee (FG) 9959 + 37 9996
Murray (NP) 704 + 16 720
O'Reilly (FF) 3225 + 23 3248
O'Rourke (SF) 8184 + 44 8228
Toibin (Aontu) 3306 + 35 3341
Tolan (FG) 3184 + 22 3206
Toole (Ind) 4491 + 58 4549
White (SF) 2903 + 14 2917
Murray eliminated
30/11/24 9.45PM
Fianna Fáil Ratoath Cllr Caroline O’Reilly reflecting on her performance earlier after count 1. O Reilly received 3223 first preference votes.
30/11/24 9.15PM
COUNT 3 RESULTS
Distribution of Reid's transfers
Balfe (Lab) 2050 + 1 2051
Bobbett (Ind) 189 + 1 190
Bonham (Green) 848 + 1 849
Bonner (Ind) 2781 + 6 2787
Byrne (FF) 6405 + 2 6407
Fahy (AWP) 209 + 2 210
McCormack (PBP) 1381 + 2 1383
McEntee (FG) 9959 + 0 9959
Murugadoss (IND) 140 + 1 141
Murray (NP) 653 + 51 704
O'Reilly (FF) 3223 + 2 3225
O'Rourke (SF) 8177 + 7 8184
Toibin (Aontu) 3285 + 21 3306
Tolan (FG) 3178 + 6 3184
Toole (Ind) 4483 + 8 4491
White (SF) 2894 2900 + 3 2903
Fahy, Bobbett and Murugadoss eliminated
30/11/24 9.00pm
COUNT 2 RESULTS
Distribution of Westlake's transfers
Balfe (Lab) 2048 + 2 2050
Bobbett (Ind) - 186 + 3 189
Bonham (Green) 845 +3 848
Bonner (Ind) 2771 + 10 2781
Byrne (FF) 6403 + 2 6405
Fahy (AWP) 207 + 2 209
McCormack (PBP) 1380 + 1 1381
McEntee (FG) 9957 + 2 9959
Murray (NP) 652 + 1 653
Murugadoss (IND) 135 + 5 140
O'Reilly (FF) 3223 + 0 3223
O'Rourke (SF) 8175 + 2 8177
Reid (LP) 119 + 2 121
Toibin (Aontu) 3281 + 4 3285
Tolan (FG) 3176 + 2 3178
Toole (Ind) 4459 + 24 4483
White (SF) 2894 + 8 2900
Barbara Reid LR eliminated
30/11/24 - 8.20pm
1st COUNT RESULTS
Electorate 84,272
Total Poll 50,321
Spoiled votes 338
Total Valid Poll 49983
Quota 9997
Balfe (Lab) 2048
Bobbett (Ind) - 186
Bonham (Green) 845
Bonner (Ind) 2771
Byrne (FF) 6403
Fahy (AWP) 207
McCormack (PBP) 1380
McEntee (FG) 9957
Murray (NP) 652
O'Reilly (FF) 3223
O'Rourke (SF) 8175
Reid (LP) 119
Toibin (Aontu) 3281
Tolan (FG) 3176
Toole (Ind) 4459
Westlake (Ind) 72
White (SF) 2894
Westlake eliminated
30/11/24 - 6pm
Meath East poll topper, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has arrived at the Count Centre but her big day will be tomorrow as we're still waiting on 1st count here.
30/11/24 - 5.00pm Green Party candidate Ruadháin Bonham shares his thoughts on his election bid.
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30/11/24 - 4.45pm
30/11/24- 4.10pm
A snapshot of Meath West and Damien English reflects on the campaign and his name not on the ballot!
30/11/24 - 4pm
Meath East (takes its time to) Decide...
Word from inside the steel ropes is that it will be 7pm before a 1st Count result is announced.
30/11/24 - 3.30pm
How that final tally breaks down...
Balfe (Lab) 1638 - 4
Bobbett (Ind) - 152 - 0%
Bonham (Green) 682 - 2%
Bonner (Ind) 2278 - 6%
Byrne (FF) 5671 - 13%
Fahy (AWP) 173 - 0%
McCormack (PBP) 1131- 3%
McEntee (FG) 7706 - 19%
Murray (NP) 530 - 1%
O'Reilly (FF) 2212 - 5%
O'Rourke (SF) 6666 - 17%
Reid (LP) 107 - 0%
Toibin (Aontu) 2661 - 7%
Tolan (FG) 2815 - 7%
Toole (Ind) 3598 - 9%
Westlake (Ind) 64 - 0%
White (SF) 2455 - 6%
30/11/24 - 3.15pm
Gavan Reilly... FF push ahead of exit poll prediction
ABOVE in Dublin, our columnist Gavan Reilly has been keeping an eye on the tally nationwide - and calculates that Fianna Fáil will be the most popular party in first preference votes nationwide.
He believes Fianna Fail is set to take about 21.5% of the vote, a full 2 percentage points ahead of the national exit poll.
Fine Gael will take 20.3%, marginally ahead of the poll, while Sinn Féin will be on 18.4% - down by 2.6% on last night's projection.
30/11/24 - 3pm
Tallies Complete Klaxon!
With 116 boxes tallied, (10 not tallied) its becoming clear that Meath East will be returning three familiar faces to Dail Eireann in its 134th renewal. Less clear is who will join them but favourite must be Independent Gillian Toole.
The Ratoath Meath county councillor is sitting on 9 of the vote, ahead of council colleagues, Cllr Sharon Tolan (FG) 7%, Emer Toibin (Aontu) 7%, Caroline O'Reilly (FF) 5% and Maria White (SF) 6%.
Helen McEntee (FG) is topping the poll on 19% with Thomas Byrne (FF) on 13% and Darren O'Rourke (SF) on 17%, considerably down on his 2020 barnstorming performance.
Fine Gael 26% (10,521); Fianna Fail 19% (7,583); Sinn Fein 23% (9,121); Labour 4% (1,638); Aontu 7% (2,661); Green 2% (682); NP/Ind 20% (8,147)
An army marches on its stomach...
Meath Chronicle's Sally Harding has arrived in the count centre bearing gifts! Legend!
30/11/24 - 1.40pm
Latest tallies based on 63 boxes opened. And Helen McEntee lies on 19%, Darren O'Rourke on 16% and Thomas Byrne on 13%. Independent candidate Gillian Toole who has been in the Count Centre for the most of the morning (and distributed a surplus of sandwiches) has made a move to 10% as more boxes from her bailiwick of Ratoath/Dunshaughlin have been prized open.
So, where does that leave the parties...
Fine Gael 26% (6,390); Fianna Fail 19% (4,678); Sinn Fein 23% (5,562); Labour 4% (1,041); Aontu 6% (1,579; Green 2% (410); NP/Ind 20% (4,994)
We expect that the next result we get will be the Final Tally.
Count staff here now have moved fully into count mode now and arranged the furniture accordingly. Votes will be sorted and assigned and the next official procedure will that of assigning 'doubtful ballots'
After that it is believed we may have a Count 1 result at 5pm.
Returning Officer Kevin Martin has confirmed the final turnout for Meath East as 50,350, (59.6%). Its' not expected that any candidate will reach the quota (around 9,500.10,000) meaning the early counts will be to eliminate the lowest polling candiates and distribute their votes.
How that breaks down...
Balfe (Lab) 1041 - 4
Bobbett (Ind) - 90 - 0%
Bonham (Green) 410 - 2%
Bonner (Ind) 1,045 - 4%
Byrne (FF) 3,314 - 13%
Fahy (AWP) 129 - 1%
McCormack (PBP) 696 - 3%
McEntee (FG) 4,644 - 19%
Murray (NP) 344 - 1%
O'Reilly (FF) 1,364 - 6%
O'Rourke (SF) 3,946 - 16%
Reid (LP) 50 - 0%
Toibin (Aontu) 1,579 - 6%
Tolan (FG) 1,746 - 7%
Toole (Ind) 2,533 - 10%
Westlake (Ind) 35 - 0%
White (SF) 1,616 - 7%
With 63 boxes now open and over 50% of Total Boxes tallied....
Fine Gael 26% (6,390); Fianna Fail 19% (4,678); Sinn Fein 23% (5,562); Labour 4% (1,041); Aontu 6% (1,579; Green 2% (410); NP/Ind 20% (4,994)
30/11/24 - 1pm
Slight update on earlier figure, 35 boxes opened.
Returning Officer Kevin Martin has confirmed the final turnout for Meath East as 50,350, (59.6%).
30/11/24 - 11.50am
How that breaks down...
Balfe (Lab) 533 - 4
Bobbett (Ind) - 54 - 0%
Bonham (Green) 237 - 2%
Bonner (Ind) 655 - 5%
Byrne (FF) 1,508 - 13%
Fahy (AWP) 69 - 1%
McCormack (PBP) 380 - 3
McEntee (FG) 2,381 - 20
Murray (NP) 137 - 1
O'Reilly (FF) 762 - 6
O'Rourke (SF) 1552 - 13%
Reid (LP) 30 - 0%
Toibin (Aontu) 724 - 6%
Tolan (FG) 1,046 - 9%
Toole (Ind) 821 - 7%
Westlake (Ind) 25 - 0%
White (SF) 1,058 - 9%
30/11/24 - 11.45am
With 31 boxes now open and about 24% of Total Boxes
Fine Gael 29% (3,427); Fianna Fail 19% (2,270); Sinn Fein 22% (2,612); Labour 4% (533); Aontu 6% (724); Green 2% (237); NP/Ind 18% (2,199)
30/11/24 - 11.35am
Not election related but here's a lovely pic of the Christmas Lights being turned on in Navan last night. PHOTO: DAVY MULLEN.
30/11/24 - 11.20am
Pace has picked up here with 21 boxes opened and that may be due in part to Divine Intervention as someone has a miraculous medal has been found in an Ashbourne box...
With 21 boxes now open, McEntee has 1,885, Tolan 573, O'Rourke 1,077, Byrne 1,028, O'Reilly, 484, Toibin 529, Toole 414.
Totals: Fine Gael 33% (2,428); Fianna Fail 19% (1,512); Sinn Fein 21% (1,644); Labour 4% (339); Aontu 7% (529); Green 2% (166); NP/Ind 17% (1,368)
30/11/24 - 11.05am
So there are 126 boxes to be opened here in Meath East with all boxes expected to be opened in the next hour, according to the Count team.
30/11/24 - 10.40am
Returning Officer, Kevin Martin expects all boxes to be opened here in Meath East by lunchtime.
30/11/24 - 10.35am
With nine boxes open, McEntee has 1,051, Tolan 132, O'Rourke 537, Byrne 446, O'Reilly, 221, Toibin 296, Toole 70.
Totals: FG 33% (1,183); FF 19% (667); SF 18% (18%); Lab 3%; (125) Aontu 8% (296); Green 2% (58); NP/Ind 17% (601)
30/11/24 - 10am
Early tallies with five boxes open has Fine Gael on 38% of the vote with FF on 20% and Sinn Fein on 18%. Tallying may be a little slower than expected as we understand there are simply not enough tally people in the count centre. We'll keep an eye on that.
FIRST TALLY: Fine Gael 45%; Fianna Fail 24%; Sinn Fein 10%; Labour 2%; Aontu 9%; Non Party 8%
Boxes opened include Rathkenny, Slane x 1, Dunboyne x 1, Gibbstown, Carlanstown, predominantly Helen McEntee and Thomas Byrne territory.
30/11/24 - 9.10am
Boxes opened here in Ashbourne with first early tallies expected at 10am.
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Who are the Candidates?
EMER TÓIBÍN
(Aontú)
While Aontú's Emer Tóibín was elected on the first count in the recent local elections in the Navan area, she will not have the benefit of the vast majority of these votes on 29th November as she eyes up a seat in Meath East.
She openly acknowledges the challenges of running in a constituency away from her municipal district base where she comfortably retained her Meath County Council seat for a second term in June. Tóibín does, however, live in Meath East between Walterstown and Kentstown and said she has done a lot of representations in that area and is "optimistic" on her chances in the now four-seat constituency, saying she would be "giving it her best shot". READ ON...
SIVAKUMAR MURUGADOSS
(Independent)
Ratoath physio who wants to be the face for change
Having run as an independent candidate in the Ashbourne electoral area in June's local elections, he has decided to throw his hat in the ring in the Meath east constituency. READ ON...
MARIA WHITE
(Sinn Fein)
'For every TD in the Dail, I believe housing has to be the priority'
Education, transport, housing and community facilities are the top priority issues for Sinn Fein Cllr Maria White should she be elected as a TD for the Meath East area.
White who was elected to Meath County Council in Laytown/Bettystown area in the local elections is principal of Scoil Olibheir Naofa in Laytown. READ ON...
JOE BONNER
(Independent)
Poll topper Bonner keeps community ‘at the heart of every decision’
Independence in politics “isn’t a limitation but a strength” that's according to general election candidate and Ashbourne Cllr Joe Bonner who is vying for a seat in Meath East.
With over 20 years of experience in local government, Bonner says that being free from the constraints of party influence, allows him to focuses solely on "delivering tangible results for his community." READ ON ...
CAROLINE O'REILLY
(Fianna Fail)
'Politics is fighting people's corners where they are not getting what they should'
What a difference a year can make. And what a hectic year that has been for Cllr Caroline O'Reilly who only entered politics this time last year following the sudden death of her cousin, Damien O'Reilly and now finds herself on the ballot paper in the Meath East constituency on 29th November. READ ON...
SHARON TOLAN
(Fine Gael)
'You can't just wait for somebody else to do it, you need people power to prove the need'
“I HAVE always believed in people power” says Fine Gael councillor for Laytown/Bettystown and Cathaoirleach of Meath Co Council Sharon Tolan makes when describing her tenure as a local representative for the last decade, a statement that carries weight considering her journey into politics started with the mother of three campaigning for a new primary school in Laytown. READ ON...
GILLIAN TOOLE
(Independent)
'If communities are well resourced, everything else falls into place.
"FrustRation rather than ambition" is what independent councillor Gillian Toole says prompted her to run for election in Meath East where she will be hoping to secure the county's first independent seat in Dáil Éireann.
A councillor for ten years, Toole says her decision to run was borne out of frustration at not being able to do more at council level, adding that a lot of the suggestions she put forward would require quite simple changes in legislation which they can't do. READ ON...
CLARA MCCORMACK
(People Before Profit)
Standing up for the ‘locked out’ generation
A YOUNG general election candidate says she is part of the "locked-out generation of people" who see "no future" for themselves in this country thanks to previous governments.
25-year-old People Before Profit candidate for Meath East Clara McCormack is a socialist campaigner and community worker who wants to be a part of change for the island of Ireland. READ ON...
RUADHAIN BONHAM
(Green Party)
Supporting climate action during school days spurred young Green on to get into politics
A YOUNG General candidate for Meath East has told of how taking part in a climate movement during his time in school inspired him to become involved in politics.
23-year-old Ruadhain Bonham (Green Party) was one of the many students around the world that got involved in #FridaysForFuture a youth-led and -organised movement that began in 2018, after a then 15-year-old Greta Thunberg and other young activists sat in front of the Swedish parliament every schoolday for three weeks, to protest against the lack of action on the climate crisis. READ ON...
EILISH BALFE
(Labour)
‘Gender balance in the Dáil is essential’
Meath East general election candidate Eilish Balfe is calling for greater equality in politics.
The Labour candidate has run the local community early service in Ratoath for eight Years and is an activist for Siptu supporting 'A New Deal' for the early years sector.
Balfe is passionate about quality in politics saying that it is a "shocking" fact that only one of the six Meath TDs is a woman. READ ON...
DARREN O'ROURKE
(SInn Fein)
‘We are in the eye of the storm in the housing crisis in Meath East’
Improvements in Garda numbers, transport, housing and access to GPs are among some of the issues sitting Sinn Fein TD Darren O'Rourke is pledging to deliver if the gets re elected to the Dáil.
These problems are not unfamiliar to any other part of the county or the country for that matter, however some of these challenges have been at the forefront of Meath East communities in a very real way in recent months and years, something O'Rourke says he is keen to tackle. READ ON...
THOMAS BYRNE
(Fianna Fail)
'Meath has made lots of progress but I think that we can do more’
"Delivering facilities for local communities" is what has driven Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne over his 17 year career in politics.
The Minister of State for at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media served as a member of Dáil Éireann was first elected as a TD in 2007, but lost his seat in the 2011 election. READ ON...
HELEN MCENTEE
(Fine Gael)
‘My greatest desire as a politician is to make the lives of my constituents better’
Eleven years on from her first election to Dáil Eireann in the 2013 by election, Helen McEntee is among the government's most senior members.
As Minister for Justice, she has a busy portfolio, and has taken a strong stance against violence against women and hate crime. READ ON...