Independents and Labour making up ground

Labour and some independents have started to claim some of the seats in the local elections in Waterford, Dublin, Kildare and Galway.

In Waterford City East, Independent Davy Daniels was elected after the first count, while Jack Walsh of Labour got in after the second count.

Labour's Michael Conaghan has been elected to Dublin City Council after the first count in the Ballyfermot/Drimnagh area, while Mark Wall has been elected to Kildare County Council after the first count in Athy for the party.

In Galway City West, another independent, Donal Lyons, looks set to exceed the quota and top the poll there.

Local election 2009 seats (2004 seats in brackets):

Total number of seats – 883

Fianna Fáil (302) – 2

Fine Gael (297) – 13

Green Party (17) – 0

Labour (101) – 11

Others (115) – 6

Sinn Féin (54) – 2