IN a shock of the General Electino 2017, Sinn Féin has taken the Foyle seat from the SDLP after a recount.
On the first time of asking, Elisha McCallion finished just 175 votes ahead of Mark Durkan – prompting celebrations from her party.
Sinn Féin leader in the North Ireland Michelle O’Neill was hailing the result as a victory for her party.
And after the recount, Ms McCallion was deemed elected with 18,256 votes – narrowly ahead of Mr Durkan’s 18,087 – and taking the seat by just 169 votes.
In her victory speech, she paid tribute to the late Martin McGuinness.
An emotional Mr Durkan thanked his family for their support, saying: “I can’t tell a lie – I can’t say it doesn’t hurt, but I absolutely want to congratulate Elisha McCallion.
“Public service brings huge responsibilities … I will continue to work with and for my colleagues.”
In East Derry, Gregory Campbell comfortably retained his seat.
In another election shock, the SDLP lost its two other seats in South Down and South Belfast to Sinn Fein.
Overall, the Conservatives won 10 seats and Sinn Fein won 7.
The Ulster Unionist Party lost all its seats too.
The overall turnout for the North of Ireland was 65.60%.
