Tánaiste refusing to concede defeat

Outgoing Tánaiste Mary Coughlan is refusing to accept defeat as counting continues in the Donegal South West constituency this evening.

Ms Coughlan arrived at the count centre as she faced a nerve-wracking battle, along with her running mate, to secure at least one seat.

She refused to concede defeat.

“It’s very difficult but we are still there with a chance,” she said.

“It’s been a very difficult day for all of my colleagues, many of whom have lost their seats.

“We are disappointed, naturally, but with the amalgamation of the vote for Fianna Fail we got more than 9,000 votes.

“But we did run two candidates, that was the decision of the party.”

She added: “Let’s see. I’m not conceding on this one yet. We may see a Fianna Fáil TD elected on this occasion.”

Ms Coughlan and her running mate, Brian O Domhnaill, polled 4,956 and 4,789 respectively, behind poll-topper Pearse Doherty of Sinn Féin.

Fine Gael’s Dinny McGinley and Independent Thomas Pringle were sitting second and third in the three-seat constituency.

Fianna Fáil is hoping transfers swing the result in its favour as it comes down to the wire.