Labour candidate to contest count

A defeated Labour candidate is to mount a legal challenge to a result in the Laois County Council elections.

A defeated Labour candidate is to mount a legal challenge to a result in the Laois County Council elections.

Mr Larry Kavanagh lost out to Fine Gael's Mr John Bonham in the Borris-in-Ossory area after the pair tied on 795 votes after a four-day recount. Mr Bonham was declared elected, as he received 648 first preference votes, compared to Mr Kavanagh's 599.

The election left Labour with no local authority representation in Co Laois. Mr Kavanagh will lodge a petition at Longford Circuit Court next Tuesday, challenging the result. It is understood the Labour Party will contest the distribution of some of the transfers in the nine counts leading up to Mr Bonham's election.