A Mayo GP, Dr Jerry Cowley, is in serious contention for a seat in the five-seater constituency, according to two polls. According to a Mayo News poll published today, the independent candidate could challenge Fianna Fβil and Fine Gael for the fifth seat.
The survey of 400 voters showed no change in the seat allocation, with Fine Gael holding three seats and Fianna Fβil two.
In the poll Dr Cowley narrowly missed out on the final seat to Ms Beverley Cooper-Flynn, who was selected by Fianna Fβil before she was expelled from the party. He got 7.5 per cent of the first-preference vote but remained in contention to the end, due to strong transfers.
The Fine Gael TD, Mr Michael Ring, topped the poll on first-preference votes, followed by Mr John Carty (FF) and Ms Cooper-Flynn.
A survey of 500 voters published today in the Connaught Telegraph showed Dr Cowley attracting 9.6 per cent of first-preference votes.
Mr Michael Ring TD (Fine Gael) also topped this survey poll, while Dr Cowley battled for the fifth seat with Fine Gael's sitting TDs, Mr Jim Higgins and Mr Enda Kenny, and Fianna Fβil's Mr John Carty and Senator Frank Chambers. That poll indicated that Ms Cooper-Flynn was likely to retain her seat.
An MRBI poll for the Westmeath Examiner and Westmeath Independent in the three-seat Westmeath constituency found that Mr Willie Penrose TD (Labour) would top the poll, winning 33 per cent of first preferences, taking votes mainly from Fine Gael.