Gains for FG and FF in Mayo local elections

Fine Gael is on course to win 12 seats on Mayo County Council.

The party currently holds eight seats following the completion of the Ballina election count, outgoing Killala Councillor Jarlath Munnelly performing a Houdini act thanks to 324 transfers during the eight count from party colleague, Aideen Horkan.

Although the count in respect of Claremorris is some way from finishing, the result of the first count to be announced within the next hour, the party is on course to winning four seats there through Michael Burke, Tom Connolly, John Cribbin and Patsy O'Brien after achieving a 55% rating. That will bring their total to 12, an increase of two seats.

Fianna Fáil will win one seat in Claremorris, thanks to outgoing Ballinrobe Councillor Damian Ryan, to bring their tally to 11 seats, an increase of one seat

The new council will have six independents, one less than last term, and one Sinn Fein member, Councillor Gerry Murry, the party losing two seats.

The new Mayo County Council line-up is shaping up as follows:

Fine Gael (12)

Cyril Burke, Ballyglass

Michael Burke, Ballinrobe

Tom Connolly, Claremorris

Gerry Coyle, Geesala

John Cribbin, Ballyhaunis

Neil Cruise, Foxford

Ger Deere, Castlebar

Peter Flynn, Westport

Jarlath Munnelly, Killala

Patsy O'Brien, Hollymount

John O'Hara, Bonniconlon

Donna Sheridan, Castlebar

Fianna Fáil (11)

John Caulfield, Kilkelly

Sean Carey, Belmullet

Blackie Gavin, Castlebar

Al McDonnell, Moorehall

Martin McLoughlin, Castlebar

Michael Loftus, Crossmolina

Paul McNamara, Achill

Brendan Mulroy, Westport

Annie May Reape, Ballina

Damian Ryan, Belmullet

Michael Smyth, Swinford

Independents (6)

Mark Duffy, Ballina

Richard Finn, Claremorris

Christy Hyland, Westport

Michael Kilcoyne, Castlebar

Johnny O'Malley, Kilmeena

Seamus Weir, Knockmore

Sinn Féin (1)

Gerry Murray, Charlestown.