Albert Dolan has won the second seat in Galway East – securing a resounding victory on his 26^th birthday.

The Fianna Fáil county councillor was elected on the eight count, having took 537 of Niamh Madden’s transfers – surpassing the quota by 406.

Dolan, who is Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, topped the poll in this newly extended four-seater.

The Monivea man’s surplus will now be distributed in the ninth count at Presentation College, Headford.

Meanwhile, Clodagh Higgins (FG) has now overtaken Minister Anne Rabbitte (FF) who looks set to lose her seat. However, Dolan’s surplus is likely to provide a small boost to his party colleague’s numbers.

Electorate: 87,791

Valid poll: 54,214

No. of seats: 4

Quota: 10,843

Eighth count

(Distribution of Niamh Madden’s votes):

Albert Dolan (FF) (+537) 11,249 ELECTED

Louis O’Hara (SF) (+123) 9,037

Declan Geraghty (IND IRL) (+153) 6,445

Peter Roche (FG) (+539) 6,367

Clodagh Higgins (FG) (+1,122) 4,965

*Anne Rabbitte (FF) (+445) 4,769

Non-transferable votes: 95

* denotes outgoing TD

Elected so far:

Sean Canney (Ind), Albert Dolan (FF).

Pictured: Bumps for the birthday boy Albert Dolan and the best present he could wish for as he is elected to Galway East.