Daniel Cullen and Caoimhin Porter, both aged 18 where from the Shantallow area of Derry
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26 Feb 2026
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26 Feb 2026
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The Finn Valley Centre in Stranorlar - the count centre for Lifford-Stranorlar LEA
The Finn Valley Centre in Stranorlar is the count centre for the newly named Lifford-Stranorlar Local Electoral Area
Counting has just got underway here this morning and there are eleven candidates battling it out for the six seats.
The feeling in the lead up to the weekend was that the six outgoing councillors who are all seeking re-election might all fancy their chances of being returned.
And after the votes were separated at the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny on Saturday, indications from the tally figures indicated that might well be the case.
Mind you Liam Doherty (SF), according to the tally figures, polled the least out of the six outgoing councillors in terms of first preference votes (717). And he could be in for an interesting battle with Garvan Connolly (FG) who was on 658.
Martin Harley (FG), going by the tally figures, could top the poll with the tally figures giving him 1,610 first preference votes.
Back in 2014, the six leading candidates were so far ahead of the rest when the tally figures were considered that the picture of how things would pan out here was pretty clear even before counting got underway.
It’s a similar picture this time around, although there could well be a battle for the sixth and final seat.
The first candidate here at the Finn Valley Centre this morning was Frank McBrearty who was present with his team before counting began.
Lifford-Stranorlar LEA - six seats
Tallies:
Garvan Connolly (FG) 658
Gerry Crawford (FF) 1,365
Michael De Ward (Ind) 206
Gary Doherty (SF) 1,490
Liam Doherty (SF) 717
Martin Harley (FG) 1,610
John Hartnett (Aontú) 214
Frank McBrearty (FG) 941
Patrick McGowan (FF) 1,542
Alan McMenamin (Ind) 431
Maghnus Monaghan (Renua) 258
Daniel Cullen and Caoimhin Porter-McLoone, both aged 18 and from Derry, were killed in the crash
Fr Eddie Gallagher has been in custody for more than ten months.
The girl said that she 'never felt safe during the night'. (File photo)
Final rehearsals are taking place for Back to the 80s. Photos: Deele College Raphoe and the Royal and Prior Comprehensive School Facebook
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