Line-up of TDs for Limerick City confirmed after mammoth two-day election

AFTER a mammoth count lasting two days at the Limerick Racecourse, Limerick City's new squad of TDs have been confirmed.

Fianna Fail TD Willie O'Dea, running in his 13th election, having first been returned in 1982, was the first to cross the line.

He passed the quota of 8,435 on the seventh count, taking the first seat in Limerick City, and returning to the top of the poll for the first time in eight years.

READ MORE: 'That's a wrap': Limerick County done and dusted

At the tenth count, Fine Gael TD Kieran O'Donnell was re-elected, a transfer of 1,973 from running mate, Senator Maria Byrne helping him exceed the quota.

Count number 12 saw Sinn Fein's TD Maurice Quinlivan returned to the Dail.

He passed the quota courtesy of the transfer of the vote of Aontu candidate Sarah Beasley.

Then on the final candidate, Labour councillor Conor Shehan was returned without reaching the quota.

In total, 17 candidates contested the election in Limerick City.

First to be eliminated were Independent candidates Michelle Hayes and Dean Lillis on the first count.

Next out was hospital campaigner Melanie Cleary, who left the race at the second count.

Independent Ireland candidate Esther Aherne bowed out at the third count, followed by Ruairi Fahy at the fourth count.

The Irish People's Moyross-based candidate Dean Quinn left the race at count number five.

Next out was Sinn Fein Senator Paul Gavan, before the first big casualty of the count saw sitting Green Party TD Brian Leddin excluded.

Independent councillor Frankie Daly's run came to an end next.

Senator Maria Byrne was eliminated at the 10th count. 

Then there were three straight counts where the surpluses of three of the elected candidates were redistributed.

Aontu's Sarah Beasley bowed out before Dee Ryan lost her bid for a seat in the penultimate count.

This left Cllr Sheehan and Cllr O'Donovan to battle it out for the final seat.