David Norris re-elected to Seanad on Trinity panel

David Norris has been elected to the Seanad on the University of Dublin panel.

He was elected on the first count with 4070 votes late on Tuesday night.

The total valid poll was 16,064 and the quota was 4017 votes.

Labour's Ivana Bacik received 2853 votes while Independents Lynn Ruane and Averil Power received 1378 and 1356 votes respectively.

Seán Barrett, on 1317 votes, looks set to lose his seat.

The count resumed on Wednesday morning at 9.30am and will continue until remaining two seats are filled.

Speaking at the count in Trinity College on Tuesday night a clearly delighted Mr Norris declared that his unbroken service over the last 30 years would ensure he will be Father of the House in the upcoming Seanad.

Speaking to The Irish Times Mr Barrett said he encountered a very despondent electorate while canvassing.

Large numbers of young graduates had emigrated he said, while many older people were struggling with trying to pay property tax out of their pension.

A total of 16 candidates contested the three-seat panel which has a potential electorate of about 57,000 graduates of the college who may live abroad, but whom must retain Irish citizenship.

Results:

The results of the first count of ballots for the constituency of the University of Dublin were as follows:

BACIK, IVANA 2853

BARRET, SEAN 1317

BRENNAN, SABINA 445

CLONAN, THOMAS 1131

COGHLAN, OISÍN 683

COX, MAEVE 135

CUNNINGHAM, KEVIN 232

DAVITT, EDWARD 142

MEEHAN, EOIN 143

MELLY, SEAN 450

NORRIS, DAVID 4070

POWER, AVERIL 1356

PRIESTLEY, WILLIAM 548

RUANE, LYNN 1378

STAINES, ANTHONY 665

TINNEY, ETHNA 516