FIANNA Fáil looks set to take a Dáil seat in Wexford with Fine Gael’s controversial candidate Verona Murphy losing out.

Councillor Malcolm Byrne has topped the poll on the first count according to the final tally of votes from the count centre in Wexford town with 31pc. Ms Murphy is polling second with 23pc with Labour councillor George Lawlor in third with 20pc.

Mr Lawlor polled strongly in Wexford town in particular and his transfers will prove crucial to deciding the final outcome. Speaking at the count centre in Wexford, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has not given up on Ms Murphy, who has had a turbulent campaign.

“From Fine Gael’s point of view it seems the Fine Gael vote has held, probably a marginal increase from the last general election and from my conversation with the Labour candidate, he has polled particularly strong here in town,” Mr Flanagan said.

“It seems to me this will be decided by transfers. It was never going to be any other way and I would expect that the seat will be decided by the transfers of the Labour candidate George Lawlor.”

Labour leader Brendan Howlin said it “looks like a three horse race” between Mr Byrne, Ms Murphy and his own candidate, Mr Lawlor, “that will be determined on the transfers”.

Of the other candidates, the final tally of votes, shows Sinn Féin’s Johnny Mythen is on 9.5pc; Karin Dubsky (Green) on 5.8pc; Jim Codd (Aontú) 5.2pc; Cinnamon Blackmore (Solidarity-PBP) 1.3pc; Melissa O’Neill (Irish Freedom Party) 1.2pc; Charlie Keddy (Independent) 1pc

The official turnout in Wexford was 35.1pc.

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