VIDEO: A night to remember as a new candidate is elected in Castlecomer LEA
Maurice Shortall is the fifth person elected in North Kilkenny today
The name 'Maurice Shortall' is well known in Kilkenny political circles, but it's a new, first-time candidate - Independent Maurice Shortall - who has just been elected tonight for the first time in the Castlecomer LEA.
He's the fifth candidate to take a seat in the area, and the second independent to be elected to Kilkenny County Council. It always looked likely from the tallies from the moment the North Kilkenny boxes were opened.
Nephew of former Labour representative Maurice Shortall, the newcomer received a first preference vote of 1,153, and after Count 5, now has won enough transfers to make the quota of 1,506.
The battle for the sixth and final seat is a two-way shootout between sitting councillors Michael Delaney (FF) and Denis Hynes (SF).
Earlier, Pat Fitzpatrick, Mary Hilda Cavanagh, Michael McCarthy, and Johnny Brennan all won their seats on the council.