Underdog Fitzmaurice increases lead over FF candidate after sixth count

Hyper scenes here in #RSL14 as Michael Fitzmaurice arrives with his family ahead of his election to the Dail. #ntfm pic.twitter.com/f0V00lS9Vx

— Zara King (@ZaraKing) October 11, 2014

Independent candidate Michael Fitzmaurice is now 1,639 votes ahead of Fianna Fail's Ivan Connaughton after the sixth count of the Roscommon South Leitrim by-election.

The Galway man, backed by Luke Ming Flanagan, has increased his share of the vote to 11,722, with Fianna Fáil's Ivan Connaughton now 1,639 votes further back on 10,083.

Results of the sixth count here at #RSL14 #ntfm pic.twitter.com/4XrCvPlJyk

— Zara King (@ZaraKing) October 11, 2014

Fine Gael's Maura Hopkins has been eliminated, and transfers from her 8,476 votes will now be distributed between the remaining two candidates.