Labour faces wipeout in Cork city; Labour mayor Clancy needs a miracle

By Eoin English

Cork's Labour Lord Mayor Cllr Catherine Clancy is fighting to retain her seat as the party, which held seven seats on the city council, faces a wipeout with Sinn Féin poised to make gains.

It is now two hours since ballot boxes were opened at the City Hall count centre and ballot papers are still being sorted.

Tallies from this morning show that Sinn Féin is set for major gains at Labour's expense.

The figures show Sinn Féin is almost certain to return two and possibly three new councillors, bringing their representation on the council from five up to possibly eight, on par with Fine Gael.

All six Labour councillors are at risk of losing their seats including the Lord Mayor.

Tally men say it will take a "miracle of transfers" for Ms Clancy to hold her seat.

The figures indicate that Stephen Cunningham, the 21-year-old UCC student, is set to top the poll in the North East ward for Sinn Féin, while another new Sinn Féin candidate, Kenneth Collins, is likely to be elected in the North West ward alongside sitting Cllr Mick Nugent.

The party is also hoping another UCC student Shane O’Shea will be elected alongside sitting Cllr Chris O’Leary in the South East ward.

Fianna Fáil is also set to gain extra seats and could become the largest party on the council. Dr John Sheehan could be elected alongside Cllr Kenneth O’Flynn in North Central.

Former Fianna Fáil councillors Fergal Dennehy and Tom O’Driscoll are in strong positions to win back their seats in the South West and South Central wards respectively.

Labour's 2009 poll topper in South Central, Cllr Lorraine Kingston, has seen her vote collapse but she is still in with a chance of holding her seat - the only Labour councillor still in with a chance.

Sinn Féin's Fiona Kerrins has made huge gains in this ward with tally figures showing her neck and neck with Independent Cllr Mick Finn to top the poll.

In Cork south west, FG's John Buttimer looks set to top the poll, with SF's Henry Cremin poised to take the second seat, with Labour Cllr Ger Gibbons at risk of losing his seat.

The first official count from City Hall is expected around 7pm.