Matt Carthy says he's not counting "any chickens yet" despite all three Sinn Féin candiates in Cavan-Monaghan in with a fighting chance of taking seats. While Carthy looks set to top the poll in the constituency, newcomer Cllr Cathy Bennett was in second place and Cavan-based Pauline Tully TD in fourth position.
As Sinn Féin's director of elections, Matt Carthy remained modest about his party's successful campaign, which, has been reflected in the number of seats the party is likely to take across the country according to first preference votes tallied. All he would say is "it's too early for hypotheticals".
Deputy Carthy also said whether Sinn Féin get into government or take their seats in opposition he will happily do so under the leadership of Mary Lou McDonald. "We'll use our mandate to try and deliver on the things like housing, health and the cost of living" while striving for Irish unity:
