Ó Neachtain defies FF to top poll in North West

SEÁN Ó NEACHTAIN, who Fianna Fáil tried to prevent from running in the European elections, last night topped the poll in the North West constituency.

Mr Ó Neachtain, who was elected on 102,000 votes after the fifth count, was closely followed by independent candidate and sitting TD for Sligo/Leitrim Marian Harkin on 100,522 votes.

Fine Gael's Mayo senator Jim Higgins involved in a close race with Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty for the last seat polled 92,657 votes bringing to four the number of European seats won by Fine Gael.