The Stranorlar electoral area in Co Donegal has returned five outgoing councillors - with the sixth additional seat this time around going to Sinn Féin.

SF's Gary Doherty and the Independent Frank McBrearty were both elected on the first count.

Patrick McGowan was elected for Fianna Fáil on the 7th count.

Sinn Féin’s second candidate, newcomer Liam Doherty, was elected on the ninth count and the remaining candidates, Gerry Crawford (FF) and Martin Harley (FG), were declared elected on without reaching the quota.

Overall, the Fianna Fáil vote in this predominantly rural east Donegal constituency was down by 3 per cent, while the Fine Gael vote took a 10 per cent dive.

Sinn Féin were the main beneficiaries, increasing their vote by 9 per cent, resulting in the election of a second candidate.

A drop of 11 per cent in the Labour vote and a corresponding increase in the vote for Independents is explained by the decision of Raphoe publican Frank McBrearty to run as an Independent candidate this time around.

On count 13 in the Donegal local electoral area, John Campbell (Ind), Noel Andrew Jordan (SF), and Barry O’Neill (FG), were elected without reaching the quota.

Sean McEniff (FF) was elected on the 12th count. Indepedent Tom Conaghan was elected on count 10.

Independent Niamh Kennedy was first to be elected in the Donegal electoral area on the eighth count.