Michael Collins likely to top poll in Clonakilty

Do not adjust your timepiece: Michael Collins could top the poll in Clonakilty.

The namesake of the town's most famous son, a farmer from near Schull, is leading the way in the West Cork constituency according to tallies gathered with three-quarters of boxes opened.

His first preference count stood at approximately 2,100, putting him ahead of outgoing Fianna Fáil Cllr Patrick Murphy and outgoing Fine Gael Cllr Mary Hegarty. With another independent candidate, Finbar Harrington, also doing well, it marks the rise of the independent vote in the sprawling electoral area.