A NEW POLL on the upcoming elections shows that Mairead McGuinness and Luke Ming Flanagan could be guaranteed seats in Europe.

The Sunday Times/Behaviour and Analysis poll shows that Fine Gael’s McGuinness (21) and Independent Luke Ming Flanagan (17) are top of the picks there, with Ronán Mullen (Independent) and Lorraine Higgins (Labour) trailing at five.

In Dublin, the polls show that Lynn Boylan of Sinn Féin is favourite (19), with Independent Jim Tallon (3) at the bottom.

In the Ireland South, Brian Crowley (Fianna Fáil) is most popular, with 35, while FF’s Kieran Hartley is bottom on 1.

Local Elections

Meanwhile, the Sunday Times’ local elections poll shows that, compared to 2007, Fine Gael is at 25 (down seven), Fianna Fáil at 22 (down three), Sinn Féin up 10 to 17, Labour down eight to seven, Greens at three (up two) and Independents up 11 to 27.

A Red C poll in today’s Irish Independent showed some similar results. Asked about their first preference vote, voters put Matt Carthy ahead in Midlands North-West, while Brian Crowley stayed on top in Ireland South.

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