Meath Council: Full recount under way in Ratoath

A full recount is underway in Ratoath requested by Independent candidate Sean Henry.

The new Meath County Council will be devoid of any Labour seats when the 40-seat grouping meet next month.

The party's dismal performance was echoed in Meath where the party was wiped out in both the urban and rural areas of the county. In 2009, four Labour councillors took their seats in Meath Co. Council — although Cllr Jenny McHugh defected to Fianna Fáil last year. Another three sat on the town councils. Five years later, the party has no Meath representation.

Surprisingly Fine Gael didn’t echo the national opinion and secured thirteen seats over the six electoral area to become the largest party in the council.

Their biggest casualty was outgoing council cathaoirleach John V Farrelly who lost his seat after 40 years.

It was the year for Sinn Féin who raised their profile on the council from just one in 2009 (Joe Reilly) to eight seats this time around. Independents will also be celebrating with two poll-toppers - Brian Fitzgerald in Ratoath and Joe Bonner in Ashbourne - and a total of nine seats across the board.

Fianna Fáil will also be happy with their tally of ten seats on the new council, although they will miss the faces of outgoing town and county councillors including Noel Leonard, Vincent McHugh, Oliver Fox and Padraig Fitzsimons who all lost out this time around.