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Sinn Fein lose Dublin-based MEP Sinn Fein lose Dublin-based MEP
(40 minutes later)
Sinn Fein's deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald has lost her seat in the European Parliament.Sinn Fein's deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald has lost her seat in the European Parliament.
It was suspected that Ms McDonald would be in a battle for the third and last seat in the Dublin constituency with Fianna Fail's Owen Ryan. It was suspected that Ms McDonald would be in a battle for the third and last seat in the Dublin constituency with Fianna Fail's Eoin Ryan.
However, she was eliminated before him and her transfers helped get Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party elected.However, she was eliminated before him and her transfers helped get Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party elected.
Sinn Fein's candidate in the South constituency Toiréasa Ferris is still in contention for the final seat there. Martin McGuinness said Ms McDonald had performed "heroically" in a constituency reduced by one seat.
She increased the party's share of vote in that constituency. "Mary-Lou McDonald put up a valiant struggle in a constituency which was reduced from a four-seater to a three-seater," he said.
"We would have liked to have won the seat, but more important for us is the performance of our representatives at local government level and whether or not we are bringing forward a new batch of young leaders, who will be the future of Sinn Fein in the south."
Sinn Fein's candidate in the South, Toiréasa Ferris is still in contention for the final seat there, having increased the party's share of vote in that constituency.
Counting there will resume shortly, but it is generally believed she will not win the third and last seat.Counting there will resume shortly, but it is generally believed she will not win the third and last seat.
BBC NI Dublin correspondent Shane Harrison said: "For the coalition parties, Fianna Fail and the Greens, these have been disastrous elections but both sets of ministers say there is no threat to the stability of the government."BBC NI Dublin correspondent Shane Harrison said: "For the coalition parties, Fianna Fail and the Greens, these have been disastrous elections but both sets of ministers say there is no threat to the stability of the government."
Libertas leader Declan Ganley came fourth in the first count of votes in the North West constituency in Ireland.Libertas leader Declan Ganley came fourth in the first count of votes in the North West constituency in Ireland.
It means he faces an uphill task to win one of its three seats.It means he faces an uphill task to win one of its three seats.
Mr Ganley led opposition in Ireland to the Lisbon Treaty in last year's referendum.Mr Ganley led opposition in Ireland to the Lisbon Treaty in last year's referendum.
'Under siege''Under siege'
He made it clear during his election campaign that if he did not win a seat, he would step back from front-line politics and hand over to someone else to lead the anti-Lisbon campaign when Ireland votes again on the Treaty in the autumn.He made it clear during his election campaign that if he did not win a seat, he would step back from front-line politics and hand over to someone else to lead the anti-Lisbon campaign when Ireland votes again on the Treaty in the autumn.
Ireland is electing 12 MEPs. Mr Ganley, a multi-millionaire businessman, is running in the North West constituency - one of the largest in Europe - covering 11 different counties from Donegal to Clare.Ireland is electing 12 MEPs. Mr Ganley, a multi-millionaire businessman, is running in the North West constituency - one of the largest in Europe - covering 11 different counties from Donegal to Clare.
Meanwhile, the results of the local elections and two by-elections on Saturday saw the two government parties punished by the Irish electorate.Meanwhile, the results of the local elections and two by-elections on Saturday saw the two government parties punished by the Irish electorate.
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said the government had been "under siege" with the banking and economic crisis over recent months.Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said the government had been "under siege" with the banking and economic crisis over recent months.
But he said Prime Minister Brian Cowen would stick to his economic reform policies.But he said Prime Minister Brian Cowen would stick to his economic reform policies.
In the local elections and by-elections Fianna Fail, the party of Mr Cowen, received 24.55% of the first preference vote, 7.5% fewer than in 2004.In the local elections and by-elections Fianna Fail, the party of Mr Cowen, received 24.55% of the first preference vote, 7.5% fewer than in 2004.
The Green Party, the junior party in the Republic's coalition government, lost all its city and county council seats in Dublin, where most of its TDs are based.The Green Party, the junior party in the Republic's coalition government, lost all its city and county council seats in Dublin, where most of its TDs are based.