"Balance of advantage" lies with Gormley

THERE is still no end to the marathon rechecking of votes to determine the last seat in the Dublin South East constituency. A decision on whether to hold a full recount is expected to be made by the returning officer, Mr Brendan Walsh, today following a final scrutiny of up to 200 disputed ballot papers.

These were isolated to determine their validity yesterday at the end of a slow and painstaking reexamination of votes. Last night, six days after the count began, there was general agreement among party activists at the RDS that the original result will stand, with Mr John Gormley, of the Green Party, defeating the outgoing TD, Mr Michael McDowell, of the Progressive Democrats, for the last seat.

Mr Gerard Hogan, a barrister and law lecturer in Trinity College, who was present as a friend of Mr McDowell, conceded that the balance of advantage lay with Mr Gormley. "If I had to venture a prediction I would think it was probable, but far from certain, that he will hold the seat," he added.

It is understood that some of the disputed ballot papers contained written comments from voters, preferences which appeared to be marked in front of more than one candidate, as well as the placing of an X in front of candidates who were given no preference.

Mr Walsh, in a statement responding to an item on the Pal Kenny programme on RTE Radio 1, stressed that agents for all parties had agreed that once there was visible evidence of a stamp on a ballot paper, it was valid.

He said it would be inappropriate for him to comment in detail on what was said on the programme, adding: "However, I must assure the public, and all who are concerned with the integrity of the electoral system, that any impression gained from the comments made that there is any unfairness or illegality in the way in which the reexamination, recounting and adjudicating of ballot papers has been and is continuing to be carried out, is completely false."

The count, in a large, dark hall, is sparsely attended. Mr Gormley attended the count for a time yesterday but there was no trace of Mr McDowell.

There was a moment of unanimity last night when Mr Walsh announced President Robinson's United Nations appointment to applause from everybody present.