WEXFORD
Electorate111,897
Casey 11,818
Duffy 1,161
freeman 2,272
gallagher 3,499
Higgins 27,020
ni Riada 2,939
48,709 total
Let the counting begin across the South East #Aras18 pic.twitter.com/n29cGbahjs
— Beat 102 103 (@beat102103) October 27, 2018
Counting is underway in the Presidential election with Michael D Higgins on course for a landslide victory.
He'll win the Presidential election with Peter Casey looking like he'll come in second.
The exit polls are suggesting Michael D Higgins has won this election comfortably with Peter Casey coming second with 21 per cent of the vote.
Early tallies show strong support for the two candidates.
WATERFORD:
Higgins 52%, Casey 24, Duffy 2, Freeman 5, Gallagher 6, Riadh 11% after 20% of 172 boxes tallied.— Damien Tiernan (@damienwlr) October 27, 2018
Thanks to Padraic Redmond for this info:
WEXFORD TALLY
24% boxes opened
Expected turnout looking like 44-47%
Expected time of first count 1:30
Representative boxes:
Higgins 60%
Casey 21.8%
Freeman 5.6%
Ni riada 5.6%
Gallagher 4.4%
Gavin Duffy 2.6%— Damien Tiernan (@damienwlr) October 27, 2018
Over 90% of boxes have now been opened in the Carlow/Kilkenny constituency.
Michael D Higgins is averaging on 48% support, followed by Peter Casey on 36%.
Fine Gael TD and Junior Minister John Paul Phelan has told Beat news that Peter Casey's support isn't surprising:
Meanwhile, Labour Party leader and Wexford TD Brendan Howlin says his former colleague Michael D Higgins is the right man for another 7 years:
Carlow/Kilkenny Sinn Fein TD Kathleen Funchion has been telling Beat news that it's a disappointing day for their party:
It appears Sean Gallagher has conceded:
It is clear President Michael D Higgins @MichaelDHiggins will be re-elected for a second term and I congratulate him and wish him success in the years ahead. #Aras18 #Aras2018 (2 of 2)
— Seán Gallagher (@seangallagher1) October 27, 2018
In one area of South Kilkenny, the Rower, Peter Casey did better than Michael D Higgins in the polls.
Leo Varadkar has tweeted his congratulations to Michael D Higgins.
Congratulations @MichaelDHiggins. Really happy that you will continue to be our President for the next 7 years
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) October 27, 2018
