Michael Collins gets 'emphatic vote' in Cork South West

"My door is open. We will have to look at the issues that affect Cork South West."

Michael Collins has raced back to Dail Éireann, the Independent TD returned in Cork South West on the first count, with all eyes on who will join him in Leinster House.

From the first tallies Collins looked all but assured of topping the poll, scoring well across the sprawling three-seat constituency. On the first count he polled 11,712 first preferences, easing past the quota in a constituency where turnout, at 65%, was down slightly on that of four years ago.