Tom Clonan has overtaken Hugo MacNeill in the pole position in the Seanad bye election count.
Clonan, a security analyst and army whistleblower, has gathered 2,332 votes so far, compared to MacNeill’s 2,290. The latter topped the poll on the first count, but transfers to Clonan have steadily closed the gap between them as the counting has continued.
Seven candidates now remain in the race to replace Labour leader Ivana Bacik, after Catherine Stocker was eliminated on the ninth count.
The gap between the top four contenders has been gradually narrowed as the more transfer-friendly Clonan, Maureen Gaffney and Hazel Chu have made up ground.
To be elected, a candidate must reach the quota of 6,170 votes.
Abbas Ali O’Shea was first to be eliminated, followed by Michael McDermott, Gisèle Scanlon, Eoin Barry, Paula Roseingrave, Ryan Alberto Ó Giobúin, Patricia McKenna, Ray Bassett and Ade Oluborode.
The total poll of 13,434 of an electorate of nearly 68,000 Trinity graduates represents a turnout of just under 20 per cent, lower than the 2020 race which had a turnout of approximately 23.1 per cent.
The scattered nature of the electorate proved difficult for canvassing, with candidates reporting that many did not live at the addresses they had registered with Academic Registry.
At a Trinity-organised hustings, many of them said they would prioritise sustainability and environmentalism, while all were of the opinion that Ireland should remain neutral but provide support to Ukrainian refugees.
You can follow live updates from the count centre here.
