Constituency wrap: Limerick county

FINE GAEL fears of two of its candidates in close proximity in Limerick proved to be unfounded as newcomer Patrick Donovan joined long-serving colleague Dan Neville in the Dáil.

Newcastle West man O’Donovan, who will vacate his county council seat, and Croagh-based Neville defied the odds to secure two seats in the three-seater. Fianna Fáil’s Niall Collins retained his seat without reaching the quota.

Labour’s James Heffernan was snapping at Collins’ heels, as the Mitchelstown teacher, who lives in Kilfinane, finished just 705 votes off the high profile FF sole candidate.

One of the big known unknowns of the Limerick constituency was how former IFA leader John Dillon would fare, running as an independent. By the end of count three when he was eliminated he had amassed 5,075 votes. But Labour’s Heffernan secured the biggest share of Dillon’s transfers.