Second recount begins in L'kenny as Bradley and Sweeney's fates hang in the balance

A second recount has begun at the Letterkenny count centre, with candidates' supporters rushing to the barriers of the sorting area to view the counting. 

The results of the first recount - called late last night (Sunday June 9) at approximately 1.30am due to a close votes total between Mary T. Sweeney and Kevin Bradley - were confirmed this afternoon (Monday June 10) by the returning officer, Séamus Canning, at 5.20pm. 

Sweeney (Aontú) trailed just behind sitting councillor Kevin Bradley (Ind) on the 11th count yesterday evening with a votes total of 1,010 compared to his 1,015. 

As there were just five votes between the two totals, Sweeney reportedly called for the first recount and counting was paused until this morning at 10am. 

Discrepancies in candidates' votes were subsequently found, resulting in changes to four candidates' votes. 

This was confirmed on the 12th count today; Bradley lost seven votes for a total of 1,008, Jimmy Kavanagh gained two for a total of 1,525, Michael McBride gained one for a total of 1,388, while Sweeney gained three for a total of 1,013. 

Bradley was then eliminated for having the lowest votes total. 

However, as Bradley and Sweeney's positions were within five votes of each other once again, Bradley immediately approached the sorting area to call for a second recount. 

The returning officer approached the podium at 6.05pm and stated, "The re-examination of the ballot papers will begin right away."