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.

The health warning attached to the tallies so far is that no boxes from Skibbereen have been opened and the tallies are predominantly from the old Bantry division.

However, it is a strong showing from Collins, who said: "No stone was left unturned on this canvas." He said he was a "true independent", having never had an affiliation with any party.

Eight seats are up for grabs in West Cork, with the count taking place in Clonakilty.

In the other count taking place in the town, the Fine Gael vote has held firm - meaning the party could take two of the six seats on offer in another area to have been redrawn since 2009.