Marathon count sees Ming, Matt, and Maria elected

Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan, Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy and former Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh have taken the final three MEP seats in Midlands-North-West — while runner-up Peter Casey has vowed to run for the Dáil.

The result of the week-long European elections race was finally confirmed last night after four days of intense counting. In a final 13th count just before 9pm, Mr Flanagan, Fine Gael’s Ms Walsh, and Mr Carthy joined Fine Gael’s Mairead McGuinness who was elected on the first count on Monday with the highest vote in Ireland.