Fine Gael seems to be “giddy” as tallies for local and European elections are measured – while Sinn Féin has “long faces”.
That’s according to former Newstalk presenter and Fine Gael minister Ivan Yates as counting gets underway across the country.
It’s still too early to say who will win – especially when European election counts don’t begin until tomorrow – but tally counts will give voters a taste of what’s to come.
Tallies are simply the number of first preferences each candidate received and will not immediately indicate winners.
Ivan told The Anton Savage Show certain moods are also growing among the political parties, both positive and negative.
“What I'm hearing in terms of body language in lieu of hard data Fine Gael are almost giddy, very relieved and pleased,” he said.
“[They’re] almost gushing, ‘When is the general election, bring it on’.”
One Dublin European Election tally from a box in Palmerstown.
Good luck trying to call it from this alone! pic.twitter.com/AyFVeBLJwT
— Andrew Lowth (@AndrewLowth1) June 8, 2024
MEP Dublin candidate Regina Doherty, for example, appears to be scoring high on tallies counted so far, particularly in south Dublin.
Newstalk Political Correspondent Seán Defoe said Fine Gael felt “the tide was going against her” and spent more time campaigning in Dublin.
“It seems to have come back [for Ms Doherty],” he said.
On the other hand, Ivan suggested there are “long faces” in Sinn Féin today, even in northwest areas where the party is typically strong.
Tallies have so far indicated Sinn Féin incumbent Lynn Boylan has a strong chance of taking her seat back – though she will have to compete in a “dogfight” with candidates such as Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Ciaran Cuffe.
“There are some signs turnout has been much better for middle-income areas and above,” Ivan said.
“Working class areas where the zeitgeist was definitely in 2020 to get Sinn Féin into power - they didn’t turn up yesterday.”
European elections
According to the Dublin tallies out so far, Sinn Féin candidates Ms Boylan and Daithí Doolan have performed well in north and west Dublin but is struggling in areas such as Dun Laoghaire Rathdown.
Nationally, Sinn Féin could still double its seats but its vote will likely be down on its 2020 results in a poor day for the party.
Fianna Fáil candidate Barry Andrews is also expected to take a seat in the European elections, while Independent Ireland candidate Niall Boylan also has a strong chance.
According to Southern Correspondent Jamie O’Hara, just over half the ballot boxes have been tallied in Cork to elect the South MEPs.
So far support is reportedly going towards independent candidates, Labour and Fine Gael – which was “expected”.
“Ground recognition also seems to be the big thing here, with previous Lord Mayors doing really well in the locals,” he said.
European and local election votes being separated here in Castlebar.
Just to give you an idea of the length of the ballot paper for #MidlandsNW - 28 inches long. pic.twitter.com/ioqQhffQCx
— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) June 8, 2024
In the Midlands Northwest, concrete tally counts are yet to emerge for the 27 candidates running.
Local tallies so far suggest a drop in support for Sinn Féin, but it remains important to note tallies don’t always reflect final results.
When tallies conclude, quotas will be calculated to determine winners, losers and many, many transfers as the election count begins in earnest.
