.
Fianna Fail’s John Brassil at the count centre on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
FINE Gael’s Jimmy Deenihan will need a miracle if he is to retain his seat in the next Dail.
After the tenth count in the Kerry constituency, he lies 4,106 behind his closest rival, Fianna Fail’s John Brassil – who now has 11,955 – for the last seat.
It is certain that Brendan Griffin and Martin Ferris will be elected as they are on 12,545 and 12,184 votes respectively. Arthur Spring of Labour has now been eliminated and his 6,139 votes are now being distributed.
Arthur Spring accepts commiserations after he was eliminated from the race on Sunday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
The gap seems to wide to bridge for the Finuge man now, even if as expected, he gets a large amount of the Labour candidate’s vote. The eleventh and last count is due at 8pm and will almost certainly see Ferris, Griffin and Brassil join the Healy Rae brothers in the next Dail.
Tenth Count result (distribution of Norma Moriarty’s votes in brackets)
John Brassil (FF) – 11,955 (2,460)
Jimmy Deenihan (FG) – 7,849 (219)
Martin Ferris (SF) – 12,184 (462)
Brendan Griffin (FG) – 12,545 (1,149)
Arthur Spring (Lab) – 6,139 (262)
