Moloney opens slight in Laois/Offaly

Entering the final straight of this marathon count Laois’ John Moloney has opened up a slight gap in the race for the finish line.

With just two votes between them after count five Moloney got a boost with 119 votes from Jim O’Brien (Lab) elimination, with Foley getting 27 to put 94 between.

Fine Gael’s two candidates also benefited with Flanagan getting 454 and Enright receiving 365.

Sean Fleming is within 1,500 of reaching the quota.

The question now is where Molly Buckley’s (FG) 2,995 votes will distribute to - to Fine Gael, to Offaly candidate Foley or across the field.

Brian Cowen (FF)19,102 (Elected)

Sean Fleming (FF) 10,313 + 124 = 10,437

Olwyn Enright (FG) 9,673+365 = 10,038

Charlie Flanagan (FG)9,380+ 454 = 9,834

John Moloney (FF)8,116+ 119 = 8,235

John Foley (FF)8,114+ 27 = 8,141

Tom Parlon (PD)4,120+ 73 = 5,093

Brian Stanley (SF) 4,120 + 253 = 4,373

Molly Buckley (FG)2,873 + 132 = 2,995

Update provided courtesy of the Laois Nationalist.