14 Candidates are contesting 5 seats, this used to be a 6 seat constituency so one outgoing TD is absolutely guaranteed to lose their seat.
Outgoing TDs all running again: Tom Hayes (FG), Mattie McGrath (Ind), Seamus Healy (Workers and Unemployed Action Group), Noel Coonan (FG), Michael Lowry (Ind) and Alan Kelly (Lab)
Other candidates : Siobhain Ambrose (FF), Jackie Cahill (FF), Michael Dillon (Ind), Gearoid Fitzgibbon (Green), Caroline Hofman (Ind), Seamus Morris (SF), Marie Murphy (FG), Michael Smith (FF)
14:46. We have our 5 TD's for Tipperary then! They are Michael Lowry (Ind), Mattie McGrath (Ind), Jackie Cahill (FF), Seamus Healy (WUAG) and Alan Kelly (Lab)
14:45 And that's that! Seamus Healy and Alan Kelly have both been elected to the Tipperary constituency.
14:32 Chants of 'Right To Change' coming from the camp of Seamus Healy, who also looks set to be re-elected.
14:27 Tom Hayes appears to have conceded defeat when talking to reporters. Meanwhile, Alan Kelly looks set to be re-elected
13:58 Cahill says the cows on his farm are still being milked as he gets elected.
13:40 Jackie Cahill (FF) has been elected! His surplus will now be distributed
13:35 Count is imminent!
13:21 Alan Kelly has just arrived at the count centre with family and friends:
12:30 An emotional eliminated Noel Coonan broke down talking to reporters, apologised for neglecting constituents to look after his sick wife. He's also devastated for his staff who now lose their jobs.
12:00 There's no denying Michael Lowry's popularity in Tipp. One of the count staff sent us this:
11:30 Fianna Fail's Jackie Cahill is expected to take the third seat.
11:00 Independent Mattie McGrath arrives to a rapturous reception as he's officially elected to take the 2nd seat in Tipperary.
10:40 Mattie's due to be elected next but no sign of him yet, it was mentioned that he might be at Mass.
9:50 Hmmmm still pretty quiet here. Count due to get underway at 10am.
9:30 Media and count officials are setting up for day two of the count at GE16 in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Sunday 28th February, Day 2 #GE16
21:40 All finished for the night here. The count resumes at 10am tomorrow. Independent Michael Lowry is the only elected TD. Independent Mattie McGrath is 173 votes shy of the quota and newcomer Fianna Fail's Jackie Cahill is likely to get the third seat. Labour Minister Alan Kelly is currently lying fifth - with his Fine Gael Junior Ministerial colleague Tom Hayes in seventh position.
19:37 There's so many paparazzi here Michael Lowry could've done with some shades!
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19:36 Kelly met Michael Lowry after his celebrity style entrance.
18:00 Mattie McGrath's youngest Canvasser - they're getting younger and younger on the campaign trail...
17:20 Somebody came prepared - it's going to be a long night.
16:05 Mattie's elated with the results! He's thanked the people of Tipp and promised to work for them again.
15:30 Independent TD Mattie McGrath is in demand with punters and the press. His seat looks safe as he's likely to be re-elected.
14:44 Tallyman Declan Burgess told Beat News he wishes he wore trainers today, and maybe a tracksuit instead of going smart casual. Seems comfort is needed for the long tiring day in the count centre.
14:14 Michael Lowry, Mattie McGrath and Alan Kelly are all polling well.
14:13 Tensions are rising as Tallied boxes reaches over 50 %.
12:19 Celebrations are flowing in the count centre...but who will be celebrating later?
12.00 With 19% of the boxes opened so far in Tipp it seems as if Mattie McGrath is leading with 14% followed by Seamus Healy on 13%.
11:24 Outgoing TD Mattie McGrath has his children roped in to help with the tallying, Mairin, Triona and Caoimhin are caught taking a sneaky snack break.
10.50 Ever wondered how the tallies work and what goes on behind the scenes at the count centre? Kelly asked Philip Kinnane to explain it to us in 40seconds:
10:38 Seamus Healy taking an early lead according to the tallies.
10.05 Seamus Healy is Topping the polls across Tipperary with 20.8% followed by Alan Smith with 14.7% and Mattie McGrath with 11.6%.
9:55 Count Day is in full swing in Tipperary today. Boxes from the Clonmel area indicate that Seamus Healy and Mattie McGrath are running well. It is too early to tell how the day will pan out but it promises to be an exciting day.
9.26 Were FF party members encouraged to vote no.1 for Jackie Cahill and no.2 for Siobhain Ambrose and Michael Smith? There are reports a text was allegedly sent out... FF Director of elections is reportedly denying knowledge of the text....#GOSSIP #GE16
9.23 Rumours of trouble in the Fianna Fail camp in the count centre this morning.
8:59 Boxes are due to be opened shortly. There's speculation a call will be made this evening to finish up for the night just after 9pm and continue the count tomorrow.
8:55 Doors open and media setting up.
