In a unique moment in Irish political history, Limerick has become the first city/county to have its own Directly Elected Mayor, namely Independent John Moran, as confirmed by Returning Officer Caroline Curley at the Count Centre of Greenmount Park, Patrickswell last evening.
In the end at Tuesday tea-time (after the elimination of Fianna Fáil’s Dee Ryan on Count Eleven), it was just himself and fellow Independent Helen O’Donnell in the race, and Mr. Moran was subsequently confirmed as Mayor of Limerick.
Ahead of Count Twelve, and the distribution of Ms. Ryan’s votes, Mr. Moran was on 24,958 votes and Ms. O’Donnell on 19,353.
After the tallies at Limerick’s Greenmount Park in Patrickswell on Saturday, Mr. Moran had “an unassailable advantage,” according to respected tipster Joe Kemmy, a brother of the late Labour Mayor of Limerick Jim.
Following the first count on Monday, he topped the poll with 18,308 votes, with his nearest challenger, another Independent Helen O’Donnell of Ballysheedy, on 12,903.
A cross-party tally of votes on Sunday, which put Mr. Moran on 24% and Ms. O’Donnell on 16% therefore proved to be relatively accurate.
Next, after Count One, were Ms. Ryan (11,785) and Daniel Butler of Fine Gael (10,190).
Mr. Moran, Ms. O’Donnell and Ms. Ryan were still standing ahead of the elimination of Mr. Butler after Count Ten on Tuesday afternoon.
At that stage, Mr. Moran was on 22,290, Ms. O’Donnell on 16,688 and Ms. Ryan on 15,473.
Just before lunchtime, Maurice Quinlivan (Sinn Féin) was eliminated after Count Nine.
The valid poll was 79,745 and the quota was 39, 873.
Turnout was approximately 52%.
Outside of Mr. Moran, Ms. O’Donnell, Ms. Ryan and Mr. Butler, the other candidates, along with their first count votes, were Quinlivan 8,331 (Sinn Féin), Frankie Daly 4,574 (Independent), Sarah Beasley 2,635 (Aontú), Conor Sheehan 2,390 (Labour), Elisa O’Donovan 2,384 (Social Democrats), Brian Leddin 2,303 (Green Party), Laura Keyes 1,079 (Independent), Caitríona Ní Chatháin 886 (Independent), Gerben Uunk 758 (Party For Animal Welfare), Ruairí Fahy 689 (People Before Profit) and 530 Colm Ó’Móráin (Independent).