David Maxwell produced one of the biggest upsets in general election 2024 to top the Cavan-Monaghan poll.
Sinn Fein’s Matt Carthy topped the poll from count one and was just 1,285 votes shy of the quota. However, things took a sudden and dramatic turn in count nine.
The distribution of Fine Gael T.P O’Reilly’s 6,425 votes saw his running mate Maxwell shoot to the top of the poll. It also put pay to hopes of Sinn Fein returning three candidates in Cavan-Monaghan.
Count nine saw the exclusion of Fianna Fail’s Robbie Gallagher and his transfers pushed Maxwell over the quota of 11,542 and into the 34th Dáil.
The count was adjourned until 1pm on Monday afternoon, however the result of count eight has seriously altered the line-up.
Count 11 will see the distribution of Maxwell’s surplus of 811 votes, which are expected to favour Fianna Fail pair Niamh and Brendan Smyth.
Sinn Fein director of elections Carthy is 644 votes short of the quota. Carthy should reach the quota on count 12 and the expected elimination of running mate Pauline Tully.
The distrubtion and Carthy surplus should be enough to see Cathy Bennet home as the second Sinn Fein TD.
Leaving a battle for the fifth seat between the Fianna Fail pair Niamh and Brendan Smyth and Aontu’s Sarah O’Reilly.
