Dublin has decided its MEPs for the next five years with Labour’s Aodhán Ó Ríordáin taking the final seat at the expense of Niall Boylan.

The first three seats were filled by Barry Andrews (FF) Regina Doherty (FG) and Lynn Boylan (SF).

That meant incumbent MEPs Clare Daly (IC) and Ciaran Cuffe (GP) missed out on seats and were eliminated on counts 17 and 18 respectively.

Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, 11-3-21. Image: Martin Bertrand / Alamy

Speaking after his elimination, Ciaran Cuffe said progressive voices must continue to have an impact in Europe.

“I’m looking at the European project at the moment and there is a fork in the road that Ursula von der Leyen will have to face," he said.

“That is whether she joins forces with right-wing populists like Meloni in Italy or whether she reaches out to those who want to see the green and social deal continue.”

Independent Ireland’s Niall Boylan, a former radio host with Classic Hits FM, just missed out on taking the fourth seat after surprising pundits by receiving 30,637 first preference votes and doing well on transfers.

Ireland South

Elsewhere, Fine Gael's Seán Kelly was elected in Ireland South last night after topping the poll and exceeding the quota by over 8,000 votes.

After his election, he said he remains very positive about the EU as a bloc and is “not worried” about the rise of the far-right.

Four seats must still be filled in Ireland South, with Billy Kelleher (FF) Michael McNamara (Ind), Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (FF), Mick Wallace (IC), and Kathleen Funchion (SF) all in contention.

Midlands North West

In Midlands North West, no candidates have been elected but Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan has topped the poll and will likely be joined by Barry Cowen (FF), Maria Walsh (FG), and Nina Carberry (FG in taking the first four seats.

Independent Ireland’s Ciaran Mullooly, a former RTÉ Midlands correspondent, would take the fifth seat as things stand but Michelle Gildernew (SF) and Peadar Tóibín (AO) are also in contention.

Main image: Labour European election candidate Aodhan O Riordain at the Royal Dublin Society during the count for the European elections. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo