LIVE: Bonfield romps to her seat and is joined by Quirke O'Meara in Local Elections

The Newport Local Election Area has some new and old blood for the next five years after a late confirmation for the first three candidates elected in the Count Centre in Thurles on Saturday night.

Labour Party candidate Fiona Bonfield was the runaway leader from the get-go after the first count with the Newport-based Councillor registering over 28% of the votes to retain her seat easily.

A Team Lowry candidate also followed her. Pamela Quirke O'Meara was elected along with Bonfield at her first attempt, hitting just over 20% of the vote, while sitting Fine Gael Councillor Phyll Bugler also got in at the first count with 20% also. That now leaves just one seat up for grabs in the four-seat Newport LEA.

The remaining seats look to be fairly sewn up judging by the final count before Sunday morning, with Fianna Fail's John Carroll (15%) in poll position to retain their seats for another five years. Eddie O'Gorman is the most likely to spoil the party at 7% but will need a big help in seconds to have a chance at stealing a seat.

All will be revealed this Sunday morning.