Recount to last several hours at least

 

Almost four hours into the counting day here at Kenagh, and there’s still a long way to go.

The checking of votes cast for Robert Troy and James Bannon has been completed, and it’s understood to have resulted in a one-vote change to the detriment of the Longford man.

Last night, it emerged that the distribution of Boxer Moran’s surplus had left Willie Penrose two votes ahead of James Bannon.  This morning, however, that gap grew to three when a Mae Sexton vote was found among votes credited to James Bannon. 

However, checking has just recently begun of Peter Burke and Kevin “Boxer” Moran’s piles of votes, and when that’s complete, staff will turn their attention to the votes of Willie Penrose and Paul Hogan.  Further changes in the numbers may occur when those counts are completed.

As the counting continues, meanwhile, queried votes set aside for adjudication are being examined by party representatives and senior count staff.

It is likely to be late into this evening before there will be a result from this recount.