UPDATE: The result of the second count in the General Election in Offaly is in

The result of the second count in the General Election in Offaly is in but the bigger picture is no clearer. 

The count was the distribution of Maureen Ward's 317 votes and the biggest beneficiary was Carol Nolan who extended her overall lead.

Three candidates have been now been eliminated, Keisha Taylor, Mike Boylan and Pippa Hackett and the third count will see the distribution of their votes which total just over 2,000 votes. This count could give a better indication of where transfers are likely to go for the rest of the evening and into tonight. The quota is 9,347.

The full result of the second count is:

Carol Nolan (IND) - 8,282 +101 - 8383

John Clendennen (FG) - 6,580 +19 - 6599

Tony McCormanck (FF) - 6,349 +9 - 6358

Aoife Masterson (SF) - 6,211 +53 - 6264

Eddie Fitzpatrick (IND) - 2,961 +21 - 2982

Claire Murray (FF) - 2,564 +12 - 2576

Fergus McDonnell (Ind Ire) - 2,074 +42 - 2116

Pippa Hackett (Green Party) - 925 +9 - 934

Keisha Taylor (PBP) - 576 +14 - 590

Mike Boylan (IND) - 546 +14 - 560

Maureen Ward (Aontu) - 317 (eliminated)