Fine Gael councillor in Co Westmeath, John Dolan, believes Mairead McGuinness would have done better than Heather Humphreys in the presidential election - and would have been 'there or thereabouts' to winning.
Councillor Dolan was speaking in Athlone, where the Longford-Westmeath County has been taking place.
Independent TD Catherine Connolly convincingly won in this constituency, according to the final tallies. She got 58.2 per cent of the valid poll, with Humphreys, of Fine Gael, on 34.6 per cent, and Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin on 7.2 per cent.
Around 15 per cent of votes were spoiled.
Councillor Dolan has been giving us his reaction:
His Fine Gael colleague - Longford councillor Martin Skelly - was also at the count centre, giving us his reaction:
Sorca Clarke, whose party backed Catherine Connolly, said she's very pleased with the result:
