Election is over but a familiar chill remains

Fermanagh-South Tyrone: Relations between the DUP and Sinn Féin looked as cold as ever in Fermanagh-South Tyrone, with the re-elected DUP MLA, Mr Maurice Morrow, leaving the stage before the two successful Sinn Féin candidates could make their acceptance speeches.

Ms Michelle Gildernew, (SF) said she was confident her party could sit down and talk with the DUP.

Disappointed her colleague Mr Gerard McHugh did not retain his, and so win SF a third seat, she said her party's vote management had "absolutely worked brilliantly across Northern Ireland".

All six successful candidates in West Tyrone were beaming with enthusiasm for hospital services in Omagh as they accepted their seats at the end of the count last night.

At the end of what turned out to be very long count - running to eight counts in the end - the outgoing SDLP MLA and member of the Policing Board, Mr Joe Barry, appeared to be the main casualty of the single issue candidate's enormous success.

Dr Kieran Deeny, the GP from Carrickmore, topped the poll with his campaign to save acute hospital services in Omagh.