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Sinn Fein tops poll in Euro count Sinn Fein tops poll in Euro count
(10 minutes later)
Sinn Fein's Bairbre de Brun has topped the poll in the European Parliamentary election in Northern Ireland.Sinn Fein's Bairbre de Brun has topped the poll in the European Parliamentary election in Northern Ireland.
She has broken a record the DUP has held since 1979. Ms de Brun got 126,184 votes and was the only candidate to reach the quota on the first count.She has broken a record the DUP has held since 1979. Ms de Brun got 126,184 votes and was the only candidate to reach the quota on the first count.
The DUP's Diane Dodds had the second highest amount of first preference votes - 88,346 - narrowly ahead of the Ulster Unionists with 82,893.The DUP's Diane Dodds had the second highest amount of first preference votes - 88,346 - narrowly ahead of the Ulster Unionists with 82,893.
Jim Allister of the TUV polled strongly with 66,197 first preference votes.Jim Allister of the TUV polled strongly with 66,197 first preference votes.
Many DUP votes have gone to Mr Allister who split from the DUP over its decision to enter government with Sinn Fein.Many DUP votes have gone to Mr Allister who split from the DUP over its decision to enter government with Sinn Fein.
The DUP's Diane Dodds is trying to wrench a seat from Mr Allister, the party's former MEP.The DUP's Diane Dodds is trying to wrench a seat from Mr Allister, the party's former MEP.
FIRST PREFERENCE VOTES Agnew, Green Party - 15,764Allister, Traditional Unionist Voice - 66,197De Brun, Sinn Fein - 126,184Dodds, DUP - 88,346 Maginness, SDLP - 78,489Nicholson, Ulster Conservative and Unionist - 82,893Parsley, Alliance - 26,699 Quota: 121,144 Agnew and Parsley eliminated
He told the BBC he had captured 14% of the entire vote or 30% of the unionist vote.He told the BBC he had captured 14% of the entire vote or 30% of the unionist vote.
"That is a remarkable achievement and shows the depth of feeling that there is among many unionists who refuse to be rolled over in the era of Sinn Fein rule," he said. "That is a remarkable achievement and shows the depth of feeling that there is among many unionists who refuse to be rolled over in the era of Sinn Fein rule," said Mr Allister.
Veteran MEP Jim Nicholson, who is standing on an Ulster Conservatives and Unionists ticket, said he was pleased with his performance.Veteran MEP Jim Nicholson, who is standing on an Ulster Conservatives and Unionists ticket, said he was pleased with his performance.
Mr Nicholson said: "We've done well. I'm totally happy."Mr Nicholson said: "We've done well. I'm totally happy."
BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent Gareth Gordon said: "All the votes the DUP have lost have gone to Jim Allister. That's a major disappointment for the DUP."BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent Gareth Gordon said: "All the votes the DUP have lost have gone to Jim Allister. That's a major disappointment for the DUP."
He said SDLP had not polled strongly enough to do any damage.He said SDLP had not polled strongly enough to do any damage.
Expenses
In the last European election the DUP topped the poll with 32% of the first preference votes.In the last European election the DUP topped the poll with 32% of the first preference votes.
BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said there were a number of reasons for the DUP's poor performance.BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said there were a number of reasons for the DUP's poor performance.
Bairbe de Brun got the highest number of first preference votes
"The Westminster expenses story and doubts about Diane Dodds' TV performances clearly played into the DUP reversal."The Westminster expenses story and doubts about Diane Dodds' TV performances clearly played into the DUP reversal.
"As the dominant party in the executive they were also always going to be in line to be hit by a protest vote."As the dominant party in the executive they were also always going to be in line to be hit by a protest vote.
"One of the most important factors is that this was the first election since the DUP did its deal with Sinn Fein. They were always going to lose a section of their "never, never, never" support base.""One of the most important factors is that this was the first election since the DUP did its deal with Sinn Fein. They were always going to lose a section of their "never, never, never" support base."
There are seven candidates chasing three seats and it could be a very tight race for the third seat, although SDLP hopes of displacing Jim Nicholson are now faint. Seven candidates have been vying to be elected for the three seats on offer. The Alliance Party's Ian James Parsley and Green Party candidate Steven Agnew were eliminated on the first count.
Turnout, confirmed at just below 43%, has fallen dramatically from the last election. It means that 488,891 people in Northern Ireland voted.Turnout, confirmed at just below 43%, has fallen dramatically from the last election. It means that 488,891 people in Northern Ireland voted.
There were 4,319 rejected papers and 484,572 valid papers.
Three hundred people are counting the papers at the Kings Hall in Belfast.Three hundred people are counting the papers at the Kings Hall in Belfast.