Connaughton on course for by-election victory

Fianna Fáil's Ivan Connaughton has topped the poll after the first count of the Roscommon South Leitrim by-election concluded today.

He stands on 7,334 votes, with Independent candidate Michael Fitzmaurice his closest challenger, 1,114 votes further back on 6,220.

Sinn Féin’s Martin Kenny is in third place with 5,906 votes, followed by Fine Gael candidate Maura Hopkins (5,593).

The second count is now underway, where the votes of eliminated candidates of Des Guckian and Gerry O'Boyle (both Independent) will be distributed.

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— Pearse Doherty (@PearseDoherty) October 11, 2014