FINE Gael's Dinny McGinley (63), reversed a decision to retire from politics back in March and he was delighted with his first preference vote of 9,169.

In a poll back in March Deputy McGinley polled just 11 per cent of the first preferences, four per cent behind Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty. The poll showed Cllr Doherty polling much better in each of the electoral areas than Deputy McGinley except by a narrow margin of just one per cent in Glenties, their home bases.

"The people have given me a tremendous response in the last two months since I declared I was running again," Deputy McGinley said.

"I am absolutely delighted that I have exceeded 9,000 first preference votes, that is the highest ever vote I have received in this constituency".

He also pointed out that his party's single candidate strategy worked in both constituencies in Donegal.

"Terence Slowey (his director of elections) stepped aside and I recognise his contribution and that of everyone else who helped me".

He also took the opportunity to congratulate Senator Joe McHugh who topped the poll in Donegal North East.

"I have been the lone Fine Gael voice in the Dáil but now I get to have someone there as a colleague to look over to and who will back me and support me in everything that I do," he concluded.