Two local election candidates were left with only one vote between them after a recount in Cork – with a second recount dramatically underway.

West Cork Candidates Holly McKeever Cairns (SocDems) and Finbar Harrington (Ind) continue to battle it out for the final seat on the Bantry West Cork LEA.

Following the first count on Monday night it was announced that Mr Harrington had won the seat by a single vote – but Ms McKeever Cairns called for a recount.

That evening a closed door meeting between the candidates and the Returning Officer Maurice Manning found a number of invalid votes had been included in the first count.

It has been confirmed to Independent.ie that five invalid ballots had been included in the count.

The quota was reduced by one to 2,308 votes. Mr Harrington’s total of first preference votes fell by one while Ms McKeever Cairn’s total rose by two. By the sixth count both candidates were running neck and neck for the final seat.

After the first recount the tables had turned and Ms McKeever Cairns had won by a single vote.

Mr Harrington has now sought a recount which is currently underway.

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Ms McKeever Cairns has said that while the entire count has been stressful the recounts had been expected.

“It has been very tense, but at the same time, we have been in this situation for a while now.

“It wasn’t a big surprise when I called for a recount and it was expected when Finbar called for a recount too.

“I’m enjoying it immensely we have beaten our expectation for the number of first preference votes, we beat the Fine Gael candidates [number of first preference votes] and the Fianna Fáil candidates too beside the county mayor.

“This vote just shows the importance of every vote. My next slogan will have to be ‘one vote in it, one vote for me.”

Similarly, Mr Harrington said that despite being tired after a three month campaign he looks forward to the final outcome of the ‘important’ vote.

“It has been a long campaign, around a three month campaign for myself, and unfortunately for Holly and myself it’s not over yet. We have had two very successful campaigns.

“But it’s an important vote and it’s a big decision and a very big call electing someone to one of the biggest local authorities in the country.

“I have huge support around me, my family and my canvassers are all here.

“I’m conscious of the other candidate Holly, she’s experiencing the same worry and honour that I am but there has been discrepancies in the ballot and so we have to investigate them,” he added.

The final outcome of the vote is expected to be announced after 6pm this evening.

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