Sinn Fein’s Chris MacManus becomes third MEP to lose seat

Chris MacManus has become the third MEP to lose his seat in the European elections, as Sinn Fein hopes Michelle Gildernew can reclaim the spot in Midlands-North-West.

It comes after days of counting resumed at 9am on Thursday at the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar, Co Mayo.

The pack leader is left-wing independent Luke “Ming” Flanagan, who is almost certain to reach the quota and be re-elected.

He quickly emerged as the front runner in the field of 27 candidates, and after 18 counts, remained ahead of the next three candidates who are in a tight grouping.

They are former jockey Nina Carberry and incumbent MEP Maria Walsh, both Fine Gael candidates, as as well as Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen.

The redistribution of Mr MacManus’ votes put Ms Gildernew ahead of Independent Ireland and former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly for the fifth seat in the constituency.

She received 20,000 votes, almost 60% of his transfers, in the process, more than closing the significant cap that had existed between the two candidates.

The party had seen similar levels of transfers between its candidates in the other European constituencies.

The 18th count also saw the elimination of Aontu leader Peadar Toibin.

Earlier in the counting, Ms Gildernew almost ruled herself out of the race after saying she was “not overly optimistic” about catching Mr Mullooly.

But Sinn Fein later insisted it still had a “fighting chance” for that final spot.

Unpredictable transfers, which political commentators said were not following traditional patterns, are adding to the drama of who would claim the final seats.

Speaking following his elimination, Mr MacManus said: “I left nothing on the pitch.

“Me and my team worked as hard as we could over the last number of weeks during the actual campaign.”

He said he was hopeful the significant transfers would keep Ms Gildernew “in the mix” for the final seat.

Asked if he would consider running in a general election, Mr MacManus said: “I don’t think it’s the last time you’ll see my MacManus name on a ballot paper.”

Green representative Ciaran Cuffe and independent Clare Daly were the first two MEPs to lose their seats, both in Dublin.