Billy Kelleher inches closer to being re-elected as Ireland South count could drag on until Friday

Mr Kelly's surplus was the largest distribution of the day with his party colleagues John Mullins taking over 2,600 votes

Billy Kelleher took a total of 1,963 votes from Sean Kelly's 8,016 vote surplus but that wasn't enough to put the Fianna Fáil MEP over the quota and he ended the day on just over 94,000 votes. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA

A number of eliminations saw sitting Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher inch closer to being re-elected in Ireland South, but the shape of the race will not be clearer until late on Wednesday.

Mr Kelleher took a total of 1,963 votes from Sean Kelly's 8,016 vote surplus but that wasn't enough to put the Fianna Fáil MEP over the quota and he ended the day on just over 94,000 votes.