Higgins takes seat for Labour in Galway West

Labour candidate Michael D Higgins has been elected to the Dáil in the five-seat constituency of Galway West after the tenth count.

Mr Higgins received 10,916 which means nearly 1,800 votes have to be transferred to the remaining candidates.

Fianna Fáil's Frank Fahey is second on 7,421 votes, just ahead of Fine Gael's Padraig McCormack on 7,370.

The Progressive Democrats are hoping to get a second Dáil seat with Noel Grealish who is on 7,241 votes.

Yesterday, Fianna Fáil took the first seat as Eamon O'Cuiv received 9,645 votes.

State of the parties: Fianna Fáil: 73; Fine Gael: 46; Labour: 19; Progressive Democrats: 1; Green Party: 5; Sinn Féin: 3; Independents: 5.