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06 Sept 2025

Chambers seat hopes fading after poor MacManus transfers

Chambers overtaken by Sinn Féin's Gildernew in race for final seat

Still counting in Castlebar

Counting has begun in Count 19 in the Midlands-North-West constituency in Castlebar

Lisa Chambers' chances of winning a seat in the European Parliament seem to have dashed following the results of the 18th count of the Midlands-North-West constituency.

The Mayo Fianna Fáil candidate received just 873 transfers following the distribution of Chris MacManus' 36,157 votes after the Sinn Féín man's elimination. As a result, Chambers slipped behind the other Sinn Féín candidate Michelle Gildernew who picked up 20,692 or 57 percent of MacManus's transfers.

Chambers now has 60,537 votes and lies 14,258 votes behind Gildernew who is now in fifth place after overtaking Independent Ireland candidate Ciarán Mullooley. The former RTÉ reporter received just 1,168 transfers from MacManus and is now 1,694 votes behind the Sinn Féin candidate.

None of the five seats have yet been filled and sitting Independent MEP, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan will have to wait a while longer to get over the quota after his transfer of 4,072 votes left him just 2,792 votes short of the quota of 113,325.

It is a waiting game for the next three candidates including Mayo Fine Gael MEP, Maria Walsh who is now on 86,401 votes after receiving 1,466 in transfers while her party colleague Nina Carberry is just 264 votes ahead with 86,865.

Fianna Fáíl TD, Barry Cowen occupies the fourth seat spot with 85,892 after receiving 627 votes from MacManus.

Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín was eliminated after the 18th count and his 56,633 votes are now being distributed.

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